Dolphins Season Has Received A Reboot
Kenyan Drake’s Touchdown effectively gave the 2016 Season a reboot.
A season reboot has brought hope to the Dolphins faithful.
The Miami Dolphins 2016 season has had a reboot with a win against the New York Jets. Now, how far they go will be theirs to control.
Not since 2011 had the Dolphins beat the Jets at home; and not since 2014 had they had a three game win streak.
All that changed yesterday.
They overcame injuries, the Jets #1 run defense, and their own boneheaded play to win the game. But, the key point is they overcame. In so many years past, most of the best pay per head fans would have predicted they would have succumbed to the challenge and fallen short. But on this Sunday, they didn’t.
While both guards were less than 100%, Stills succumbed to illness, Jelani Jenkins went down, they had double digit penalties, and their run game was suffocated for over three quarters, they still found a way to win.
A reboot doesn’t guarantee the Post Season, but it does guarantee a chance.
Yes, the game was an ugly one in many regards, and they must improve if they want to reach the playoffs. But, with a string of winnable games, the victory against the Jets was a great win for two reasons: it keeps hope alive and ended the Jets season in a cruel fashion.
Two other crucial aspects that was given positive confirmation was that Gase has the fortitude to stick to their identity of a running team and their ability to execute it.
The Jets were #1 in the league in rush defense, giving up just over 70 yards per game. The New York D-Front was tough and talented. Yet, the Miami offense was patient and turn-over free (of course that nearly picked swing pass could have changed everything).
With no devastating injuries and some players returning next week, Adam Gase will have a near full roster for the Dolphins trip to the Chargers…and a chance to keep the win streak rolling. Go Fins!!!
….lmao ….Dunner the fan boy 🙂
…game went just about like I posted it would …the run game is for real but doubt whether Ajayi can sustain the number of carries hes been given …and we’re still lacking any backup for the OL starters
…but you take what you can get …and yesterday certainly felt better than weeks 1-5
…ST still hasn’t got it together but they had TWO punt returns for TD, one of them called back on a holding penalty
…at least for this game, Gase seems to have gotten the stupid penalties under control
…and TH had a third solid game in a row …not a stud like game but I’ll take the consistency …show me 4 in a row and I might start reconsidering Gase for the QB whisperer job again
…all in all, I’m not sold on a playoff run but I’m thinking about thinking about it
Yeah Lemmus…some aspects of disciple are better, but they still need to tighten up ST and penalties. The key with what they are doing is not beating themselves. And tight games can easily be lost on ST or dumb penalty. I see this team as building to something very big, BUT they are an injury or two, or loss or two, from being average. So, they need to go 6-2 from here out…it will be interesting!!!! Imagine if they had the 2 wins they threw away!!! Ohhh well, beggars can’t be choosers.
Yes sir Lemmus, I failed to mention………..The “HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE”. Again, the sun beat down on those big lineman of the Jets which seem to take a toll on them in the forth (Not to mention 30+ rushing attempts). How about the noise level? The stadium wasn’t sold out or anything, but the noise sounded as if it were, even the announcers made a couple comments about the noise level. Its called Hard ROCK Stadium for a reason. Imagine if we can play a few meaningful games there w a packed house???? ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
2 more players added to our defensive backfield, not only helping our defense, but just as importantly, bolstering our special teams units. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Too Boot:
Just read where our Fins are the ONLY team in the NFL w both a kickoff and punt return for a TD. Upward trend ^^^^^
Nice job Rooks ^^^^^^^^
J-Train…Hoot Hoot
How about back to .500
How about 4-4
How about 2-1 in the division
How about 31 rushing attempts (sticking to the run game)
How about 111 yds for Ajayi
How about total of 139 rushing yds
Against the #1 rushing defense in the league
How about the special teams
How about the Rooks
How about that O-Line
How about that defense (just kept coming)
How about the leagues #1 third down defense
How about Phillips catching the ball w his hands and hurdling people, looking like a wideout
Parker steps right in for the ill Stills and Carroo steps right in Parker’s spot
Carroo fills in for Stills, and does so admirably (Carroo’s blocking is so so underrated, he is a physical WR)
It wasn’t all roses, bottom line was a WIN!!
All this without catching the breaks, Jets fumble inside their 10-they recover, punt return for TD called back, penalties abound to keep the Jets alive
.Carroo breaks open down field for coulda been TD-Missed pass,
Grant gets an offensive play, and drops the pass (must take advantage of said opportunities)
Maxwell struggled, in his defense it was against Marshall (most corners do)
Jones does well at TE; BUT, drops a KEY, KEY third down pass that would of avoided the botched punt, and the Jets last TD, and probably seals the game
Now we take to the road vs a underrated Chargers team.
Defense should receive a few more pieces…
Mitchell will only help all the way around for the defensive line as well as the defense as a whole
Culliver could be on his way back this week, just may replace Maxwell if healthy
Howard will be back soon, be nice if it were this week, instantly steps in and Maxwell goes back to the bench
Don’t underestimate Sims return at TE. Will help bolster our 2 TE sets, running game and play action passes, downfield passing, entire offense
So even though there were positives and negatives in the Jets win, there is still room for growth, and there are still pieces to the defense coming back weekly, there is still a nice piece coming back on offense (TE-Sims) soon
The arrow is pointing UP, pieces are still being added. Now win on the road and they could put themselves right in the thick of things. The Jets are better than their record (like the Chargers), their games have been close and this game was no different. We had several chances to put them away, those chances must be converted in the future to win on the road.
But, the J-Train continues to roll, the Fins continue to win, nice formula
Very nice post…you nailed it and I agree with nearly all of it. St’s though, while contributing the TD, has made too many inept mistakes throughout the season. Many teams on see one or two a season. Miami has had like 5 or 6 truly terrible ST plays its only been 8 games. So they need to get that straight ASAP. Penalties is another area that’s needs to get fixed fast. They did tone down on the truly stupid penalties for the most part, but it’s still quite sloppy. But, yeah the rest is great and the Dolphins are light years tougher physically and mentally than they have been in the past…SO, this is an great time for the Fins as at the very least they are setting up good things for next year — and maybe for this one.
Ohhh and Carroo is making very nice strides…no pun intended. Maxwell isn’t the answer, Grant’s hands need alot of work — but, he should develop, Howard and Culliver will be a big boost to the secondary and I still think we might see a bit of Jordan this year. Chargers can run and pass and it will be a HUGE test for the D not to fall behind…But, like you said Dunner the arrow is pointing up!!!
I love your enthusiasm. I also see the arrow pointing up.
Nice Post Dunner!
I’m just now watching the Miami Dolphins and Jets game Monday late night. Coach Gase has developed a run game philosophy and has learn how to communicated it to this Miami Dolphins team. I’m really proud of the this Miami Dolphins Team. They are something Special. I have watch the Jets have their way with the old Dolphins the last 4 years not any more. One Game at a time.
The Dolphins are certainly finding ways to win rather than lose. And things will only continue to get better. There are things that still need to get cleaned up but the difference is that players are buying into what Gase is doing and as I’ve stated previously, this team is changing its character right before our eyes. No more softness, but rather more hard hitting smash mouth football.
I’m not even going to think playoffs. Still too much to work on, but I can see a 9-7 season on the horizon.
We fans have waited a very long time to see what we are now seeing. Please….my beloved Dolphins….don’t let us down.
I believed exactly that Fritz early on, but game 5 shook my core beliefs. But, the mass firing and all that followed has my spirits going full tilt. YES, this team is far better off with Gase and the character of the team is changing. What it will become and it’s heights will have many factors, but Miami does have at the very least a strong and solid HC. And that is really, really a nice thing for a change. I don’t know about playoffs either, but the chance is still there. Either way, this team is on the rise. I thought 10-6 would be if alot of breaks went Miami’s way…they lost a few games they should have won. 7-9 wins seems about right, unless some things break big.