Almost Turned Corner Against Seahawks
Seahawks and Dolphins battled until the end.
Seahawks came up with the last blow to knock Miami into a Week 1 loss.
It was a heart breaker of a loss to the Seattle Seahawks — their’s no doubt. A loss is a loss, and a loss is never good.
BUT, beyond the emotion of that loss, what did we see in the grand scheme for the Miami Dolphins?
Are they ‘same-old, same-old’? Are they rising or falling? Next week will reveal more, but as far as this week goes…
…Let’s be clear, Miami took the #1 power-ranked former champions to the limit on the road. And, they should have won it if not for a few miscues.
Yes, “should of” sticks in my craw like an ice-pick, just as it does yours.
But, let’s look at it all from birds-eyed vantage point.
Since it was a loss, let’s start with the negatives first:
The run game against the #2 run defense of 2015 was very limited. The caveat is most teams would have fared the same. Unfortunately, Miami needs more help here than what will likely come this season.
There was a long stretch where Miami just couldn’t find a passing game against the #2 passing defense of 2015. Again, the caveat is most have trouble, if not for a dropped pass the passing attack of both teams would have been comparable and Parker will help the passing attack tremendously — if he gets right.
Crucial mistakes in drops, one (possibly two) poor calls and a rookie mistake on Special Teams rounds out the rest of the most obvious. We’ll see as the weeks progress if their is a caveat to this.
We can only hope at this point because not even the best pay per head bookie software site can be certain.
It might be hard for some, but there were more positive than negatives against Seattle.
Okay, let’s look t the positives:
Tannehill made adjustments at the line, made all the deep throws but one, came up big in the clutch, played tough and had zero turnovers. The caveat here is he needs to find a way to make plays in tighter windows.
The defense dominated most of the game with only a few — but crucial — breakdowns. They contained the run, made turnovers, tackled and stopped the run, while fighting through the injuries of Mitchell and Mario Williams which tested their depth big time. The caveat here is Williams appears to be a crucial piece to the defense. This is both a good and disturbing revelation.
So, what does this mean?
Let’s remember, this is about installing a new regime, so 2016 this isn’t about a single game, or oddly enough, even about this season: one week or even a season doesn’t determine this process. It’s not what I or any desperate Fans want to heat, but it’s the truth.
Just for reference, the Seahawks went 7-9 their first two seasons under Pete Caroll.
Bottom line on what’s available, the Miami Dolphins showed they “can” get within striking distance of beating the best team in the NFL on the road, at least for this week. But, in order to be the team they want to be and a team that we fans want them to be, they must be more consistent all the way from units, to drives, to games and on through to seasons.
We won’t be able to gauge this better until more weeks unfold.
Week 2 will again put Miami behind the 8-Ball. How they respond will give a little more credence to whether this is the “Rise of the Dolphins” or the fall of another regime. Patience is hard, but it’s the only way to arrive at the truth. This week will test my patience to the limit. Go Fins!!!
Butler maybe very nice addition if he can stay healthy?
Sports Dolphins Sign Free Agent LB Donald Butler
Donald Butler is an American football linebacker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Washington. He was considered one of the top linebacker prospects for the 2010 NFL Draft, and was selected with the 79th overall pick by the San Diego Chargers.
https://youtu.be/j5zwXeeTbQY
Lastly!
We cannot afford to have Tony Lippett siting on the bench? He is a tough and talented wide receiver play maker the Dolphins have sitting on the Bench.
I know he is a back up Corner but lets be real. We need to score any way we can. I believe the Kid is a Pro Bowl Receiver and a not quite there Pro Corner yet!
Former Michigan Spartans Tony Lippett Best Wide Receiver that season did not ride the Bench for the Spartans! This was a Joe P moved. Benching and trading away your most talented players.
Why is Tony Lippett Riding the Bench
https://youtu.be/IaFe7rcJxOU
…sorry Steve …just don’t see Lippett as a WR on this team …he played both CB and WR at Michigan and was drafted late as a CB, not a WR …a gamble that his height and athleticism could be converted to CB at this level …Howard has years on him in both HS and college playing the position …give Lippett another camp and he will replace Maxwell …giving us a young and cheap set of very good CBs for the next 3-4 years …moving him to WR at this point would kill that even if he could play there and he’d have a hard time breaking into our current WR set …note that no team had him on their boards as a WR …the scouts didn’t think he had the right skill set there …keep him at CB and give him time to learn the position…it will pay off in the long run
I agree Lemmus. Stills will rebound and I think Parker is getting his tail in Pro mode – Lippett needs to keep working at one position. Most of his flaws are technique – he will be a valuable asset next year or so. Maxwell only had one really big completion and it was a push off. And Howard did quite fine given the amount of throw he had come his way.
Lemmus
I understand the concept of focusing on one position with Lippett..
How many offensive snaps has Lippett been given probably none as a Dolphin? Last season Parker was injured and Lippett could have be tried then. Give lippett one offensive play a Quarter? What I see is a play maker.
Lastly R/B Foster played well almost 99% there was not a slant up the middle and all R/B need be aware to make it happen just like they would playing flag football don’t get caught.
R/B Williams had a very nice out side run off a screen. He almost scored.
Gase had abandoned the run to quickly in the 1st half. But he came back to it. We need to keep tight ends in to block. And a fullback may have gotten those close inches plays. Nothing has changed there!
We all know that Wide Receiver Stills is a good Receiver and Sh*** happens. Keep throwing to him.
Ajayi appears to have gotten the message…we’ll see how he responds. His big body was missed last week. With Albert, Steen and Bushrod having 3 of the top 5 Dolphin O performances, I think we will see an improvement in the run game – as long a Pouncey stays on the shelf.
Handling Adversity!
The Patriots added Sankey former 54th NFL draft pick 2014 to their practice squad two Sunday after he was released by the Tennessee Titans and and cleared waivers. He’s even making the practice-squad minimum $6,900 per week, according to a source.
We never heard of Sankey complaining only thankful to prove that he can contribute to a team. Ajayi wants to start? Then make it hard to keep him off the field and makes some plays.
Yeah, Ajayi really showed some serious immaturity — hopefully he can rebound. Sankey did the right thing and it will do him well…it’s a team concept – and that’s what football is all about.
Some Facts about the Game!
Tannehill played the best game I have ever seen him play since drafted by the Dolphin Why?
a. He took charged of the his Offense
b. He made the Deep throws ( Therefore I’m convince now he can before
I had doubts.
c. He used his legs (I thought on the 4 and inches play running up the center on the line was not the correct play when there was daylight left and right. Maybe the correct play would have been A screen, A pitch to R/B are T just Run. Or lastly about it The QB must be under center for inches play.
I feel if he can release 2 to 3 second to receiver he would not take a sack and it would not allow the defense to set on him.
Every NFL team made mistake their 1st game. The Dolphins Defensive line handled the Settle front offensive line. The Corners played and tackles well, The Line Backer and Safeties tackles well.
I AM CONVINCED THAT WE HAVE TEAM NOW. WE STILL NEED 37 POINTS A GAME TO WIN CONSISTENTLY AND A FULL 60 MINUTES.
Did we get 58 minutes out of our Dolphins? or 45 minutes?
Did you see Gase’s interview yest? I’m writing an article on it…really good and speaks to alot on Miami’s pass game Sunday. Check it out.
Admin
I sure will check it out!
https://www.periscope.tv/w/1ypKdolANmLxW
here’s the link..save you the time finding.
Admin!
We appreciate you Brother!
Hey, thanks! Same here…I learn alot from all the contributors in the forum. I’m glad Jimmy brought me on board. The editor and admin thing was rough going for awhile, but Lemmus and a couple others helped tremendously. I getting a bit easier – still have long ways to go – but, glad to be aboard.
The 1st regular game of the season we watched played in Seattle and the overall bottom line is:
Offensively & Defensively the Miami Dolphins did not roll over and Die! The Old Dolphins would have been ready for the showers about the 3rd quarter.
…great teams win close games …Seattle won, Miami lost
…this is NFL football, not horse shoes, no points for being close
…calm down from the “almost” euphoria and look at the stats …first downs, time of possession, completion %, etc …they beat us up everywhere other than the score
…Tannehill was not a franchise QB in that game, hoping I’m wrong but of the mind that he’s never going to be …in the end it was Wilson who got it done
…the OL was better than last year but they’re not close to being top
P 5 …two OGs and maybe a Center to go
…and yes Dunner, it could be a LB at #1 …all depends on the board and where we are on it …but the CB play yesterday left much to improve on …and the DL definitely hurt without Williams
…that said, I’d much rather be playing the Pats with this team than last year’s
…except for Stills …hard to forgive that drop …it was right where it was supposed to be and there was no one even close to him …everyone has moments, good and bad, but damn!
Yes Lemmus there could be a # of picks, either would do if they are difference makers. Heck, this team/offense could use a Gronkowski type pressence at TE as well.
The DL was not the same w/out Williams, hope he’s back for the Pats.
I agree 100%, I would much much rather be playing w/this years team along w/this years staff.
Not so much a dropped pass (like mentioned, everyone has their moments), but a pass/situation that we have all been waiting year for,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and he drops it. Hard to overcome missed opportunities in that environment vs that team.
Yes, the stats were in Seattle’s favor, red zone defense was stiff, similar to years ago when Miami continuously ranked in the top 5 in red zone defense, if that is a sign of things to come, I’ll take it. Would like to see better run defense. Again, Seattle is one of the top teams, could have been worse against one of top teams in their house.
I didn’t think Tanny was bad or good. He could have avoided a couple of sacks and acted on a couple early reads to quickly, when another half second or recognizing the corner jumping could have had big play opportunity. Hopefully Gase can get Tanny to recognize those errors and correct them.
We have a player in Xavien Howard (IMO) = 11 tackles for the rook, in essentially his first NFL game (minimal preseason action). He’s a player you can build around.
“…calm down from the “almost” euphoria and look at the stats …first downs, time of possession, completion %, etc …they beat us up everywhere other than the score” Lemmus, this is a process – that isn’t a cute term just thrown out lightly to cover anything – it’s a fact. Now, that process may amount to a hill of beans or a ring, time will tell, BUT, a team, 99.9% of the time, doesn’t go from garbage to great at light speed. Yes, “almost” isn’t “did”, but it can lead to “will”. This team (given the limited sampling) played far better than 95% of the Philbin teams did. If they continue this kinda’ defense and grow in their O, then the “Almost” will become “Did”. Now at what regularity that “Did” becomes will determine above average, good or great. Coaches don’t often come into a bad situation and then turn it on from minute 1 – especially rookie coaches. Alot of the O problems are on Gase’s end, he admitted it, but he and T-Hill are in the process of acclimating. I expect it to improve and if the D can remain at this level and players can keep improving i.e. Phillips, Howard, Isu, Kiko, then we will see those almost’s become did. But, to levee negative, broad stroking judgement after one game, especially with the performance and situation, I think is a bit dramatic. Ultimately, you may be correct, but that game isn’t a game that points to your conclusion. Now, this week is – in my opinion.