Dolphins Lose & Adam Gase Wonders Why

Adam Gase is ‘reevaluating’ everything after a crushing defeat in Week 8

If you haven’t heard, the Dolphins got whacked by the Texans… and Adam Gase isn’t exactly sure why.

Miami is now 4-4 after a 3-0 start and Gase says he will take the extra time between the next game to, ‘look at everything’.

Since I love the Dolphins so much, I figured I’d lend a helping hand.

First, when did this whole thing begin to go off the rails?

Bingo… Week 4.

What was the biggest element of the Dolphins beat down by the Patriots?

Bingo… They ran the ball for 175 yards.

Prior to the Patriots game, the Phins had allowed 116, 42, and 109 rushing. Not stellar by any means, but good enough… although the YPC was troubling.

Since Week 4, the Phins have allowed 103, 161, 248, and 188 yards on the ground.

You might say what about the Bengals game where they let up ‘only’ 103 yards? Well if you remember, Bengals were down Bernard and Mixon was coming off an injury. If you also remember they had this game in the bag till Laremy Tunsil went down and Ryan Tannehill imploded. So, limiting of the run game had them with a sizable lead with a Quarter to go. The negative is they let a wounded Bengals running back group to cross the century mark.

Okay, back to the Patriots game. What did Belichick do to attack the Dolphins?

The Pats attacked the linebackers, specifically Raekwon McMillan. Belichick used the D-line technique that Miami uses of up the field rush against them. Pats O-linemen let the Phin D-line upfield in traps and forced the LBs to shed. They couldn’t. The Pats offense also attacked the edges and had an O-linemen get to the second level to cut off a slow McMillan. It worked out very well for the Pats.

This isn’t to say the 2018 Season disaster is all McMillan’s fault… But he does play a part as does the rest of the LB group.

Before we continue let’s list the primary issues with the Dolphins failures of 2018.

1. Injuries have been exceptionally high
2. Sloppy play with turnovers and penalties
3. Lack of impact play at the QB position and more importantly impact negative plays
4. Run defense: Linebackers aren’t shedding blocks and over pursue
5. Pass rush is not commensurate with their salaries
6. Mental lapses in the secondary
7. Safeties have a hard time with their deep help
8. Questionable play calls at inopportune moments
9. Lack of adjustment in-game and from game to game
10. Terrible refs make more poor calls for Miami than they do their opponents

I could expand the list, but we’ll stick with this list for now and focus on #4 for this article.

Below is a typical scene: Week-in and week-out for Miami Dolphins are cracked open, unable to get off blocks. With this extra time between games, I’ll do a video study that will provide far more evidence and a deeper look at the situation… but here are two snapshots of ‘proof’.

Linebackers are the glue that binds the defensive front and secondary together

McMillan and Baker are blocked below. Baker manages to get off his block somewhat, but McMillan was completely sealed. Baker weighs about 215 lbs and McMillan 250 lbs. McMillan should have far more power at the point of attack… instead, he is almost always moved as if on ice skates.

This play turns into a chunk run of 15 yards.

Below, both Kiko and McMillan are washed down the line by one blocker. Kiko takes a bad angle and McMillan is too slow and unathletic to recover, get around the blocker, and make the tackle.

This play ends up going for 58 yards.

As a counter to this evaluation, because I try to be objective, both Baker and McMillan were rated high by PFF 73.0 and 74.0, respectively. While I can see this grade for Baker ( I do like his play), McMillan picked up 90% of his tackles when the game was all but over, he had a free lane without a blocker, and it was in limited space. So this PFF grade is a bit skewed in my opinion. Lack of context is why I sometimes take PFF with a grain of salt.

Rushing Offense and Rushing Defense is the key to consistent football

You can bet with any pay per head reviews that the offensive run game and defensive run stop provide consistency to a team. Yes, as Aikman said last night, these two aspects of footballs aren’t what they once were… but they are still crucial. If you critically fail in one the likelihood of losing rises dramatically.

The Phins have been able to run the ball on offense in Week 1 and then again since the Cincy game. But there were signs that they had trouble stopping the rushing attack back in Preseason.

They can’t stop the run on defense now… and they won’t be able to without new players or a change at Linebacker.

McMillan is too slow for the modern game…

…makes bad reads, is easily blocked, and can’t cover in space. In confined areas, without a blocker engaging him, he does do well… as he should at this level. But success in the NFL is more about how you deal with your weaknesses. Once a player’s tape grows, they will be made or broken on what they struggle with to do. McMillan’s stats have gone up, but despite the look of them, he’s the primary issue at Linebacker. McMillan should be able to get off blocks… He’s a MIKE LB. Instead, McMillan is glued to every blocker that comes his way. The smallest LB is the most effective at getting off blocks… and that won’t cut it going forward.

This doesn’t absolve Kiko and Baker for their mistakes, but they have an upside and aren’t hidden on the defense. Both Baker and Kiko are given a full plate of responsibilities. while McMillan isn’t… and for good reason.

The blueprint has been set: Opposing offenses know what to do against Miami’s front seven. Miami has an active and effective front in run support. If you can get past them though, and put a block on the LBs, it’s off to the races.

Until this weakness is corrected nothing else will matter.

Gase has his work cut out for him. If he can somehow fix this issue, he still has near a dozen other problems to fix as well. But if he can get the run defense even average, it will go a long way towards salvaging the season… and his career in Miami.

One thing he might want to think about: if he focused solely on being a Head Coach might notice issues sooner. Go Phins!!!

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