Doom: Are Fans Suffering Premature Evaluation?
The sense of doom some feel might just be a case of “premature evaluation”.
2016 is two weeks in and some see it as doomed — are they right?
The Miami Dolphins are 0-2, and many are already seeing doom in 2016 with this new regime.
I say “pump them brakes” cause you might be suffering from premature evaluation — maybe?!
The fact is we played two legitimate Super Bowl contenders on the road, and both losses were highly expected.
What was not expected was that Miami would have a chance to win both of them in the last 2 minutes of each game.
A lucky bounce here or there could have easily been the difference in the Dolphins being 2-0 instead of 0-2, and considering that Miami was able to keep it close and stay in each game right to the last second, that should be seen as a positive step in the right direction.
Of course, to be fair, it could also be a mirage — but, it will take this week to reinforce that belief, because if they screw the pooch on this one…DOOM it is and doom it shall be!!!
The fact is, the Dolphins are not a Super Bowl contender this year, and they might not even a playoff contender. So if you have had these lofty expectations, you might be suffering from the doom and gloom of a let down.
They clearly still have issues on the offensive line, and the talent at the running back position is filled with inexperienced players; and the one experienced player they do have is Foster, who he’s a porcelain doll in whirlwind. Other genuine concerns are starting Tight End Jordan Cameron, who seems to have shown his hands to Medusa over the off-season with his hands of stone…
…Then there’s defense, Miami’s thin at depth and star-talent at corner and Linebacker (especially Linebacker) — although, maybe Culliver can provide that help when he becomes healthy.
But, beyond the holes in the previously mentioned failings, this team has some talent. Also, even the most ardent detractors of Tannehill can’t blame it all on him at this point.
Yes, Tannehill hasn’t looked like an elite QB through 4Qtrs. But, game-planning, play-calling, drops and missed blocks have taken front and center Week 1 and Week 2.
Two close loses might seem like doom, but could it be “premature evaluation”?!
This all leads to the fact that 0-2 was expected by most (though my editor thought 1-1). So, it’s not something to cry about in terms of this new coaching staff not getting the job done — not yet at least.
With the sober understand that outside of some coaching miracle that the best pay per head bookie software site has the odds of 200 to 1, Miami fans shouldn’t fool themselves into believing the Dolphins are a Super Bowl contender. So, there shouldn’t be shame in losing to Super Bowl contending teams.
With this perspective, however ugly at times, the Dolphins made it a game in both contests, and at this juncture with this team, that is more than people expected.
Now, this week and next week are different stories.
This week will determine if the 2016 Dolphins are garbage and next week if they are sniffing the playoffs.
Cleveland is such a must win game that I can’t even describe the awful mess my room will become from my head exploding should we lose!!!
The Browns are a young and awful team with a third string QB starting for them. But, they can run the ball and they will make every effort to do such. Vance Joseph and his credibility will take a big hit if his “D” flops this week. The Pats saw a weakness and exposed it last week, using motion to thwart the Zone-Press. Joseph was slow to respond.
This week, Adam Gase and Joseph have the superior pieces and home field advantage — if they are out maneuvered, then it won’t be a “premature evaluation” of doom…it will be a proper one. Go Fins!!!
Jimmy I would agree 100% coaching has been this teams primary issue this season:
Nick Sabin, Irvin Myers, Jim Bo Fisher, David Shawn- Stanford head coach. Would have Coach the Dolphins to Beat A Wounded Seattle and New England PAT’s Team.
The Texans Coaching Staff is worse than our Coaching Staff. I’m careful to used the Term (worse to quickly)
Facts: A good coach will not set his QB up for failure by asking him to pass on every down.
New England established a Running Game that had a two R/B Tight End Formation designed to take some pressure off Their Rooky Q/B.
The Miami Dolphins continue to Coach a Formation with one R/B and the Q/B is expected to be a Magician with no help about 42 years of this.
A good Coach will put his Q/B in Situation designed and structure for that Q/B gift not the Coaches system?
I keep saying we have a competitive team (Coaching is killing us! meaning I have a tractor trailer parked out side but I don’t no how to drive it.
Defensive Coaching Sucks! Until we can consistently stop opponents from winning the game. We are not being coach properly.
The different in our coaches and the Best Coaches is the Best Coaches will not tolerate the players excuses and just do their JOB!
Many Fans think I’m obsess with the Run Game? Not Really We need to do both well Pass and Run! Not one without the Other!
Our Coaches have the right Stuff but will not demand perfection from the Dolphins.
Many say this is Tannehill do are die season? In order for Tannehill to succeed Fact is he is taking charge better of the team but he must convince his offense to believed in Him by completing his game and demanding that his team mates do their job and accept nothing less. Or he will not survived this season. So Tannehill can think If I don’t demand they do their job for me and the team then another QB will demand IT next season.
Last night was some evidence that most fans (or so called) may be over reacting a bit after only 2 tough games on the road. The Texans, trending favorite, scored zero points, yes zero points. And, like the Fins game that was against 1st stringers. Yes Lemmus, our comeback was against first stringers the entire game, look at the tape. Houston was supposed to have it all, receiving, running game, great defense. Yet, our Fins had a chance in the forth quarter, putting up 24 points, again against the first string, unlike the Texans ability to stop or score. Still have a chance, despite the keys turnovers from Miami. The $20 million dollar man = Osweiler, may not even be on Tannehills level, some more evidence that OVER REACTION is apparent.
Again, who/where/when should be considered when evaluating or criticizing player(s)/coach(s)/team, I’ve said that all along. We’ve probably played the best 2 teams on the road, both home openers for said teams in each conference, not an excuse, just reality. Good teams beat the teams they are supposed to beat, this Sunday is one of those games, let us eveal/criticize the Fins following Sunday’s game.
Then again, I already know what peeps will be saying should Miami take care of business.
A BIG 5 day span that very well could define Miami’s season.
…look again, eh
…simply don’t understand …if we beat Cleveland it’s because the fins are mighty warriors, not because the Browns are down and out? …rotflmao!!!
…and if I’m not rah rah sis boom bang I’m not a real fins fan? …beg you pardon, I do
…reality check …my position has been constant since the schedule was released …1-3 …then we find out what the coaches and team really are …I said months ago and have repeated it many times since, as long as they finish the last five looking like contenders, I really don’t care what the first 11 W-L record is …new coaching staff and a lot of team turnover, especially starting with the talent vacuum the prior regime left us, takes time to reach cohesion and coherence …if they get there, I’ll be happy with the season regardless of the W-L tote
…otoh, Tanny is a different story …as I’ve said repeatedly, this is a do or die year where he is concerned …because of his contract …and so far, he’s dying
…dear god the excuses here run the gamut from a-z …just as they have the past 4 …but this year, for me, I’m looking for results, not excuses …and all you’re doing is giving me excuses, imnsho …PFF stats, for instance, that suggest he’s not quite as bad as his results say he is …but still come to the inevitable point that he’s performing well below his pay grade …and is as inconsistent as it gets
…you’re reaching …and I understand …you’re a finfanatic and just can’t view them objectively …it’s ok, really …but I’m a finfanatic as well …I was 26 in ’72 …it’s been quite a few years …and I really, really want to live to see them repeat it …but imnsho, it just isn’t going to happen with Tanny …not unless Gase puts some teeth in his QB whispers …not to mention a good few slaps upside his QB’s head …because despite all the other things wrong with the fins right now, they wouldn’t matter nearly as much if Tanny could get his head screwed on straight
…imnsho …worth what it cost you, eh
I think in the article Jimmy said ( I agree) Cleveland is the barometer of terrible or average, and the Bengals is the barometer of above-average. Cleveland is crucial not so much in the win, but how they win. I think your correct on excuse, IF they continue. I do disagree on T-Hill. The only thing so far that I have disliked in his game was the pick. ALOT of his early issues were play calls and scheme. And last, T-Hill will fall in that 16-7 range at his best and worst given a competent surrounding. He is not elite. So this terrible inconsistent run game has a huge negative effect. I don’t think it can be underestimated as to how negative it is. Your asking someone to be more than what he is EVERY week. But, this is a year in review. Right now, honestly, the biggest hotseat is for Gase and Joseph. I think they will rebound, but it’s their “play” that has been the biggest sore spot.
26 in 72!!! That’s so good as you can remember those fabulous years. Funny you weren’t much younger than Shula!!!
Ohh, and last. I am not saying this because I’m a fanatic. I will quickly change my tune over the next two weeks if it is warranted.
…lmao!
…premature evaluation …sooooooooooooooo not guilty 🙂
…I’ve repeatedly said 3 things here many many times …before the season even started
1) that I expected us to be no better than 1-3 to start
…so far, so good
2) that I expected us to win the last five games
…jury is still out, waaaaaay out
3) that this was a “must” season for Tannehill because of his contract …no more excuses …no blaming the OL, the coaches, the defense, the WRs, the blocking, etc, etc, etc …he has to prove he’s worth $19 mil against the cap or we move on without him at QB, difficult as that may be
…the guy is a truly rugged athlete who has repeatedly proven he has the physical skills and athleticism to excel at QB …but his mental make-up remains in serious doubt …he is inconsistent as hell …one game he has a 144 QBR, the next he has a 34 QBR
…last Sunday he went several series in 17+ minutes without completing a single forward pass for positive yards …then in the last of the 2nd half, he basically turns into Marino, Manning, and Elway all rolled into one (against mostly Pat’s 2nd stringers} …but once more, it was too little, too late …and I’m not buying that suddenly everyone else started playing/coaching differently …that’s bs imnsho …it was Tanny finally getting his head screwed on straight …nothing more, nothing less
…it’s the same pattern we’ve seen for the past four years and I, for one, always found an excuse for …mostly the OL …but I’m not buying any excuses this year …zero …its fish or cut bait time …and I’ve said that for months
…yes, the team has other problems …its not all Tanny’s fault …but this year is for evaluating Tanny, nothing more, nothing less …and I’m not going to let Still’s unforgivable dropsies or Tunsil forgetting what position he’s playing, lead me down a stray path such that we wind up come January still not having an answer on Tanny.
…if that’s premature, I’m sure the wife will object …so far, so good 🙂
Yeah, that “premature” part was my interjection into Jimmy’s article ( my infantile mind is well, at times, infantile) — sometime I can be an intrusive editor. But, I simply couldn’t resist.
I still think Gase has been a major problem with the offense. His schemes and play calling has been tight and inflexible a times. A simple example: game 1 4th inch and he has 2 DT’s playing 2 technique and he runs it (it begs for QB sneak), then game two on 4th and short and he get the 2 technique plus a DT playing 0 technique and then he QB dives (that’s a no go). He isn’t thinking. To me he looks nervous and tight. It has affected this offense.
Joseph suffered from the same. First drive, Pats run motion all over the place ( I didn’t notice this at the moment) to break Zone-Press…a sorta’ similar replay of the Cardinals game– Joseph took 3 drives to snap out and adjust. After watching the Cardinals/ Pats tape it’s a wonder that he wasn’t better prepared. The D was simply out coached. The thing is he and the scheme was exposed. Now, what does he and Gase do with these coaching lessons? I want to believe they will get the jitter out of their heads and stomachs and coach the team up…not horizontally or down. This is why I say premature evaluation — because I never like to suffer from premature evaluation. 🙂
This is the same old team, close but no cigar. They can’t run the ball and Tannehill is not going to pass for 5000 yards. Good teams win the close ones at the end.This is not a good team. Hello another losing season.
At this point Bryan, I am at my nearest to agreeing with you. Not there yet, sir — but, closer. These next two weeks will tell me everything I need to know a about this staff. I always viewed this year as 7-9 – 9-7 with all the right breaks going 10-6. These first two weeks were those big breaks that were lost. The next two weeks are big forks in the road.