Another lost opportunity
This feels like a yearly occurrence where the Dolphins take on the Patriots for their second matchup of the season, and the result seems to always end in a thorough beating where the Patriots make it a point to show the Dolphins, “you still have to beat us if you want to play in January, and we are going to make sure you still know that you are not ready yet.” The Dolphins played sloppily and the Patriots played like the best team in the AFC in the second half of the game.
The Dolphins had a field goal blocked and they ran it back for a touchdown, and Tannehill threw two interceptions and one of those was practically running back for a touchdown as well. That is not the way that you beat the Patriots. The Dolphins kept it respectable in the first half, however, they were shut out in the second half, and then were unable to stop Gronk in the second half, after shutting him out in the first. This game was a perfect microcosm of the Dolphins’ season, where they hung in there in the beginning and then flamed out like the remains of a dying star. They provided moments of excitement and times where they appeared to be turning the corner but then fell apart.
This team has at least shown a pulse this season, and put together some decent performances, but the fact remains that this team is still thin on the offensive line, thin at linebacker, thin at the running back position and inconsistent at the tight end position. The Defense has looked lights out at times, and then at other times, they can not hold on to a lead late in the game. The Offense can not even get first downs or positive yards at times, and then in the same game, they can run off two back to back 80 yards plus touchdown drives to win the game. This team has talent, but they are suffering from a disease in the NFL called inconsistency.
Is this team a laughing stock in the NFL, like they were in years past? No. Is this team ready to be a Super Bowl contender? Not this year, probably not next year either. Will there be a new coach and/or new Quarterback next year? Maybe. In fairness to both Philbin and Tannehill, they both came in 3 years ago to join a team that was clearly rebuilding, and regardless of what the decision of the Dolphins front office is, I think most of the best bookie software sites like www.AcePerHead.com would say that they do not need to rebuild next season. Instead, they need to add a few more pieces through the draft and free agency, hopefully, get a little lucky in the process, and continue to work with and help grow the young talent already on the team; Landry, James, Jenkins, and Sims immediately come to mind as players that have started to turn the corner this season, and their ceilings have yet to be approached. What is the rest of the phins fans’ thoughts of the Dolphins 2014 season?
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Phinfreak I have been reading these blogs all season, and I have had enough of your negative, know it all comments. I agree with Jimmy please do us all a huge favor and go comment on or read another blog. How can you call yourself a Dolphin fan when all you do is complain about how bad everyone in the organization is.
If fans want to continue wallowing in mediocrity, then they should articulate the case for keeping Philbin. BUT! keeping a failed coach on board because you’re afraid you can’t hire a better coach is … well, loser mentality, again.
Philbin and all his predecesors are resounding failures. The constant? Ross. Aside from his obvious stupidity in how to attract fans, his hiring practices is exactly WHY the fins are what we all know they are (some refuse to admit it).
Poor GM hirings. Poor HC hirings. As a result, poor personnel decisions, busted draft picks, on and on.
Lets look at the successful teams for just a minute. What makes them successful? Oh, right, their owners make good hiring decisions. Their GMs know how to draft talent. GMs know when to release an aging veteran on his downside and when to take a veteran from another team and make him contribute asap.
This is the perfect example of what a resounding failure ownership has been. Yes, the past GMs sucked. The HC’s sucked. We had bad drafts and FA busts and let go of franchise playmakers.
But all this is because of a football stupid owner. Plain and simple. And, he’s just stupid enough to keep Philbin because he can’t identify one single better HC candidate in all of football.
Yes. OR, we could hire bourbon boy…and continue our “improvement” to a 6-10 season.
Good article that I agree with for the most part. However, the Dolphins will not land Harbaugh. His family wants to stay in California just like you had mentioned, plus he wants to be HC & GM. This will not happen in Miami. Ross better have a plan B. The team needs to be much more physical up front on both sides of the ball. Team needs 2 OG who can consistently win their one on one match-ups. Our first draft pick needs to be a real “beast” at RB. This team is still reeling from the horrific GM era of Jeff Ireland. Additionally, injuries have really hurt the team on both sides of the ball. Brandon Albert going down was absolutely huge. This changed the whole complexion of the OL that prior to this was generally playing well. Another good draft by Hickey and a few key FA’s and this team should be a solid playoff team for years to come. Firing Philbin is not that easy, as it depends on who really is available and sincerely interested in the job. The next 2 games will tell a lot about the team and if the players want to continue to play under Philbin. JP took over a team 3 years ago that needed a great deal rebuilding and talent addition as a result of terrible GM work by Ireland. If this team goes 9-7, a case could be made for keeping Philbin depending on what other HC candidates are available and interested. If we keep playing musical HC’s, we could end up like Cleveland, a new coach every 2-3 years and not much to show for it! The Browns however, are also an improving team on the rise. Go Fins and finish strong!