Devastating News: Josh Sitton Out For Season, BUT…
Devastating News: Josh Sitton Out For Season, BUT…
Josh Sitton will play just 1 game in the 2018 Season
The luck! Josh Sitton is done for 2018 after only one game
In typical Miami Dolphins fashion, the road is never easy and smooth: The devastating news came out this morning that the Phins prize 2018 Free Agent and future Hall of Famer, Josh Sitton, is done for the season. Sitton has been put on Injured Reserve and will undergo surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff.
The Offensive Line is the most important unit in the game of football and Sitton manned the most difficult interior line spot. Sitton’s loss, and the downgrade to Ted Larsen, along with a huge drop in depth, is a brutal news. This news is magnified because the Dolphins will face a tough Jets defensive front on the road.
But, Sitton’s loss isn’t a death sentence.
Only the starting Quarterback is close to irreplaceable. Last year, the 2017 Eagles showed that good teams can win a ring with a backup QB. The 2018 Season shouldn’t be sunk on this injury… unless it was sunk from the start.
Miami’s best unit has lost their best player
I don’t love Ted Larsen at Left Guard. He’s far better suited at Right Guard or Center due to his skill set and body type. Larsen has said as much himself. However, he’s good enough for this Offensive Line to function well enough to win games. If Miami’s Offensive Tackles finally decide to pick it up, this O-line can still be good. Greatness, though, is likely out the door.
It’s time for Laremy Tunsil and Ja’Wuan James to step up and meet their 1st Rd pedigree. Unfortunately,given their history, the odds with the top bookie software sites are less than great.
The margin of error for Tunsil and James have dropped dramatically with the loss of Sitton. Three penalties in one game by the Phins two most talented Offensive Linemen will be crippling going forward.
Sitton’s leadership, experience, technique, and physicality are irreplaceable. His impact was made obvious as Frank Gore tore off chunks of yardage off the left side against the Titans. But the show must go on.
So…
Behind Sitton’s blocking Gore had an excellent Week 1
…save the handkerchiefs because excuses are over.
It’s time for the rest of the offense to step up their game to compensate… staff included.
Ryan Tannehill will now carry a little heavier burden along with Tunsil and James.
Last year with all the issues, the Dolphins O-line was excellent in pass blocking. This line is capable enough to give Tannehill time to make his throws. He must prove he is a leader and make a few big throws a game. But what’s even more critical will be what he doesn’t do: errant throws and fumbled snaps.
Tannehill has enough skill and talent to lead the Dolphins to wins… if eliminates those 2-3 negative plays a game.
The loss of Pouncey’s pass blocking skill was offset by the addition of Sitton…
…With both gone, and Kilgore and Larsen the starters, it will be even more crucial for smart calls.
Along with Tunsil, James, and Tannehill, Adam Gase must elevate his game to compensate for the loss of Sitton. Gase must scheme and play call production into existence as some ‘easy yards’ in the run game are out the door with Sitton’s loss. Quick starts will be even more critical. Gase looked at his best last Sunday, but he needs to perform even better going forward. Flippant calls like a 50 /50 balls to a rookie in the Endzone in a tight game needs to stop. Miami can’t afford to leave points on the field with low percentage plays. Now it will be even more critical that the calls are tighter and smarter.
Team and play call discipline was red alert before the Sitton injury, now it is DEF CON 5 level. As talent levels drop, self-induced negative plays must dimish to offset the loss in production. Again, on offense, Tannehill, the Tackles, and Gase will be front and center.
The biggest problem in the wake of Sitton’s loss is depth at the position. One more injury and the situation could be unmanageable. Depth at Guard is near zero. Who can play either Guard spot should Larsen or Davis go down? Asiata isn’t a solution. Maybe Swanson?
Your guess is as good as mine.
Well Phins fans, we should be used to this. But if Gase, Tannehill, Tunsil, and James are the right guys for the jobs they’ll make it happen this season. Winners make it happen under adversity. It was a ‘prove it or lose it’ season in my books. The Sitton loss doesn’t change a thing for me. Win big or go home. Go Phins!!!
This is not the first time that free agent lineman have been signed just in time for them to get injured and be out for the season. Who approves these guys? You would think that Ross would get tired of paying for damaged goods! Maybe that’s why we are sick of the Dolphins. Gase has to coach them up and beat the Jets – no excuses.
Ouch, sir. So true. We love to pay BIG for players with little tread left. I like this move though. His injuries over the last two seasons were minor. YES! Gase must raise this team up. If they play cleaner than the Jets we should be able to beat a rookie. If Bowles out coaches Gase, then it might start a sharp down slop. BUT, I do think we will win. At least I hope so.
Bummer with Sitton though, huh? Just when this O-Line finally was starting to oppose their will (98 yd drive). Let’s hope Larsen minimizes the lose!
This would be huge win vs the hated J.E.T.S. Even this early in the season. As you stated about the Titans game, I’m excited and nervous at the same time.
Hurts, brother. My favorite FA in a long time. Even if it had been 7-9 games this season… BUT 1 game! OUCH. Yes, Miami almost needs to win. They lose to a rookie QB and many disgruntled fans and critics will have a solid leg to stand on. No excuses. Go in and get the win.
Stephen, Every team in the NFL is a few key injuries away from failure. It is today’s NFL. Having said that, it is very disappointing losing Sitton. Larsen was signed 2 years ago for this reason, so it is Larsen’s time to seize the opportunity. Next man up, it work’s for the Pats, why not us? It is the running game that I think will suffer the most. Or maybe not (fingers crossed). We need to sign another Lineman, I know it sounds crazy, but, Incognito is out there, and even at 35 he can still play (solid season last year), at least for the remainder of this season. Though it is only a week 2 game, I believe this game means so much for the Fins. Should they lose, it could have a very negative effect. Should they win though, it could really help this team’s psyche. This game is as mental as it is physical. I truly believe this team/roster is headed in the right direction. They do need to draft a guard in the first or second round, not in the 4th or 5th and hope you find a gem. Take care of the guard position long term, if they are as high on Davis as they say, it would be the most logical thing to do.
“Next man up, it work’s for the Pats, why not us?” Agree 100% time for this team to pull up it’s big boy pants. Incognito is suffering from severe mental problems now… he’s done. I too agree, for Miami to prove they are different, they need different results and a win in NY would start proving they are legit. Yeah, Davis is good enough and will be maybe the 15th ranked at RG by seasons end… least that’s my opinion. Still see some green from him, but he is growing. LG is the issue. They need one. Asiata isn’t it. RG okay. LG if they send him help nearly every play, but that would be spotted and attacked. So they need a LG next year… a young guy as you aid. Sitton will be around one more season. Big, big game tomorrow, brother.
I fear that this team is only a few key injuries away from being a failure again! Depth on the O-Line and at LB is a concern. I hope the FO can pick up a decent veteran via waiver or thru a trade. Pamela and Frank are correct when they say that the O-Line and Gase/coaches need to compensate and step it up!
They may be Stephen. But this one injury isn’t it. This will be more of a long term hit. Larsen is good enough to beat the Jets. Watched the Jets / Lions game and the Lions played like the Phins did last year. They beat themselves in coaching and playing. Dolphins should win this game. IF Bowles out coaches Gase and the Phins flounder… Gase will lose some serious shine in my eyes. This is one he should win, brother.
This is not the first time that free agent lineman have been signed just in time for them to get injured and be out for the season. Who approves these guys? You would think that Ross would get tired of paying for damaged goods! Maybe that’s why we are sick of the Dolphins. Gase has to coach them up and beat the Jets – no excuses.
Ouch, sir. So true. We love to pay BIG for players with little tread left. I like this move though. His injuries over the last two seasons were minor. YES! Gase must raise this team up. If they play cleaner than the Jets we should be able to beat a rookie. If Bowles out coaches Gase, then it might start a sharp down slop. BUT, I do think we will win. At least I hope so.
Admin, hoping I nail another lucky guess.
Bummer with Sitton though, huh? Just when this O-Line finally was starting to oppose their will (98 yd drive). Let’s hope Larsen minimizes the lose!
This would be huge win vs the hated J.E.T.S. Even this early in the season. As you stated about the Titans game, I’m excited and nervous at the same time.
Hurts, brother. My favorite FA in a long time. Even if it had been 7-9 games this season… BUT 1 game! OUCH. Yes, Miami almost needs to win. They lose to a rookie QB and many disgruntled fans and critics will have a solid leg to stand on. No excuses. Go in and get the win.
Stephen, Every team in the NFL is a few key injuries away from failure. It is today’s NFL. Having said that, it is very disappointing losing Sitton. Larsen was signed 2 years ago for this reason, so it is Larsen’s time to seize the opportunity. Next man up, it work’s for the Pats, why not us? It is the running game that I think will suffer the most. Or maybe not (fingers crossed).
We need to sign another Lineman, I know it sounds crazy, but, Incognito is out there, and even at 35 he can still play (solid season last year), at least for the remainder of this season.
Though it is only a week 2 game, I believe this game means so much for the Fins. Should they lose, it could have a very negative effect. Should they win though, it could really help this team’s psyche. This game is as mental as it is physical.
I truly believe this team/roster is headed in the right direction. They do need to draft a guard in the first or second round, not in the 4th or 5th and hope you find a gem. Take care of the guard position long term, if they are as high on Davis as they say, it would be the most logical thing to do.
Fingers crossed for a win!!!!
Miami 27
Jets 16
“Next man up, it work’s for the Pats, why not us?”
Agree 100% time for this team to pull up it’s big boy pants.
Incognito is suffering from severe mental problems now… he’s done. I too agree, for Miami to prove they are different, they need different results and a win in NY would start proving they are legit. Yeah, Davis is good enough and will be maybe the 15th ranked at RG by seasons end… least that’s my opinion. Still see some green from him, but he is growing. LG is the issue. They need one. Asiata isn’t it. RG okay. LG if they send him help nearly every play, but that would be spotted and attacked. So they need a LG next year… a young guy as you aid. Sitton will be around one more season. Big, big game tomorrow, brother.
I fear that this team is only a few key injuries away from being a failure again! Depth on the O-Line and at LB is a concern. I hope the FO can pick up a decent veteran via waiver or thru a trade. Pamela and Frank are correct when they say that the O-Line and Gase/coaches need to compensate and step it up!
They may be Stephen. But this one injury isn’t it. This will be more of a long term hit. Larsen is good enough to beat the Jets. Watched the Jets / Lions game and the Lions played like the Phins did last year. They beat themselves in coaching and playing. Dolphins should win this game. IF Bowles out coaches Gase and the Phins flounder… Gase will lose some serious shine in my eyes. This is one he should win, brother.