Phins “D” Issues Reach Deep Into The Core
Phins “D” must play well to have any shot at a “W” this week
The Phins “D” has issues from the foundations to the ceiling
The Phins “D” is struggling hard… again. The 2018 Season is another year where Miami’s ‘D’ is suffering from a weak defense. The 2017 Season was middle of the road and the hope was that this ‘D’ would take another step forward. This isn’t the case. While big plays from Xavien Howard bailed out the defense this past week, Miami allowed another 400+ yards against the Bills.
It’s time to admit that these issues are well beyond a tweak here and run fit fix there. These weaknesses are ingrained into the very foundation of the system.
Matt Burke is a favorite culprit among fans for the defense being a sieve. While he is certainly a factor, the reality is the defense’s failings go much deeper.
The NFL is about talent. ‘He with the most thoroughbreds has the easiest ride to victory’. So, let’s examine the team building side of things over the course of Adam Gase’s three seasons as Head Coach.
Prominent Phins acquisitions on defense and where they are now:
2016:
Trades: Kiko Alonso (trade back, starter) and Byron Maxwell (trade back, cut).
Free Agency: Mario Williams (cut), Andre Branch (backup), and Isa Abdul-Quddus (career ending injury).
Draft: Xavien Howard (2nd RD, starter, Pro Bowl)
2017:
Trade: Stephone Anthony (trade 5th, backup).
Free Agency: William Hayes (I.R.), TJ McDonald (starter), Rey Maualuga (cut), Lawerence Timmons (cut).
Draft and UDFAs: Davon Godchaux (5th RD, starter), Vincent Taylor (6th RD, I.R.), Charles Harris (1st RD, back up), Chase Allen (Undrafted, I.R.), Raekwon McMillan (2nd RD, starter), Cordrea Tankersley (3rd RD, I.R.)
2018:
Trade: Akeem Spence (trade 7th RD, starter) and Robert Quinn (trade 4th RD, starter).
Draft: Minkah Fitzpatrick (1st RD, starter), Jerome Baker (3rd RD, starter) Cornell Armstrong (6th RD, backup).
Injuries are an annual theme in Miami. Nearly half of the 2017 Draft Class is on out for the season due to injury. The loss of Quddus in 2016 had a major negative ripple effect on this regime. Quddus was an excellent player and the perfect compliment to Jones. The Phins have had to use three major chips to fix the Safety spot alone.
This ‘throwing a zillion darts’ to hit one bullseye has happened on a few positions. Look at the Defensive end: big contracts were spent on Branch, Quinn, Williams, and high draft picks on Harris, but it was Hayes, and his modest contract, that turned out the best.
Now Miami has Cameron Wake turning 37 with very little around him. They’ll need to spend more chips to resolve the Defensive End situation.
You can make a sure bet with a pay per head sportsbook like AcePerHead.com, that this isn’t a winning strategy.
Quality of players in relation to expectations upon acquisition:
Exceeded expectations: Howard, Fitzpatrick, Baker, Hayes, Allen, Godchaux, Taylor, and Quddus (8).
Equaled or close to expectations: Kiko, Armstrong, and McDonald (3).
Below expectations: Maxwell, Williams, Quinn, Maualuga, Anthony, Timmons, Harris, McMillan, Tankersly, Branch, and Spence (11).
Mike Tannenbaum and Chirs Grier have made some very nice acquisitions in the draft. BUT, their big misses have balanced out the big wins. Wasted blue chip in the draft and poor choices in huge contracts on underperforming Free Agents have been a big anchor on what they’ve done right. And whether it’s poor trainers, bad luck, or both, injuries to some of their good picks has tipped the scales hard against them.
Poor choices and bad luck is never a good mix.
The tally of all 22 moves based on their relevance to the 2018 active roster:
Cut: 4
Starters: 9
Backups: 4
I.R. or retired: 5
Currently, on the active roster, 4 players are exceeding expectations, 3 equal, and 6 are below.
Even if Burke was a genius, he needs tools to succeed. Whether by injury or poor acquisition the unit has been robbed of talent. The defensive production in 2018 is nearly identical to that of 2016. So two coaches and the same result. Gameday coaching is a problem… but, play calls are just one piece of a very ugly puzzle.
These moves in conjunction with the defensive philosophy compound the problems… But that’s for the next article. Go Phins!!!
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As of January 2017
NFL team’s 10-year record, ranked from 32 to 1
Ranked: Ranked 24th
Miami Dolphins (71-89)
The Dolphins have finished 7-9 or better seven times in the past 10 years, but this season’s playoff berth is only the team’s second during that span.
Ranked: 5th
Denver Broncos (94-66) Denver finished .500 or better in eight of the past 10 years, and went to two Super Bowls while winning at least 12 regular season games in the four seasons before this one.
Ranked: 4th
Indianapolis Colts (100-60)The Colts have posted at least 10 victories in seven of the past 10 seasons, but have now missed the playoff two years straight after consecutive 8-8 campaign
Ranked: 3rd
Pittsburgh Steelers (103-57)The Steelers have won at least 10 games in seven of the past 10 seasons, and have never finished below .500 during that span
Ranked: 2nd
Green Bay Packers (106-53-1)
The Packers have finished the regular season with double-digit victories in eight of the past 10 seasons, and have made the playoffs going on eight years straight
Ranked: One
New England Patriots (126-34)The Patriots have won at least 12 games for seven consecutive years, have missed the playoffs only once in the past 10 years (when they went 11-5 in 2008), and finished off an undefeated 16-0 regular season in 2007. New England has been the NFL’s best team over the past decade, and no one else even comes close.
https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/gallery/every-nfl-teams-10-year-record-ranked-32-1-010417
Admin I rest my case we support Mediocrity. Stephen Ross will always settle For 7 to 9 Wins.
Miami Dolphins (71-89)
The Dolphins have finished 7-9 or better seven times in the past 10 years… sad. I expect things to continue like this, Steve.
Some times you have to moved on! I think he’s still great coach! What are your thoughts?
Mike McCarthy as coach of the Green Bay Packers,
McCarthy finishes his tenure with the Packers with a 125-77-2 record in the regular season. They won the Super Bowl with him at the helm in the 2010 season and made the playoffs nine times (10-8 record) in his 13 years with the team. Verses our Dolphins who are Ranked: Ranked 24th
Miami Dolphins (71-89) win/loss
The Dolphins have finished 7-9 or better seven times in the past 10 years
McCarthy not calling plays would be good… his play calling became a bit stay from reports. Not sure if this is true… but so few can HC and OC very well. I remember he gave up calling for a while… did he pick it back up? I do like him overall though.
Admin and FinFans
The Dolphins prefer Mediocrity and here’s the Proof!
2018 (1st round picked: 11 Minkah Fitzpatrick Safety Alabama)
Record: 6-6-0, 2nd AFC East Division (Schedule and Results)
Coach: Adam Gase (6-6-0)
Points For: 244 (20.3/g) 25th of 32
Points Against: 300 (25.0/g) 20th of 32
2017 (Draft round picked: 22 Charles Harris Defensive end Missouri)
Record: 6-10-0, 3rd AFC East Division (Schedule and Results)
Coach: Adam Gase (6-10-0)
Points For: 281 (17.6/g) 28th of 32
Points Against: 393 (24.6/g) 29th of 32
2016 (Draft round picked: 13 Laremy Tunsil Tackle Mississippi)
Record: 10-6-0, 2nd AFC East Division (Schedule and Results)
Coach: Adam Gase (10-6-0)
Points For: 363 (22.7/g) 17th of 32
Points Against: 380 (23.8/g) 18th of 32
2015 (Draft round picked: 14 DeVante Parker Wide receiver University of Louisville)
Record: 6-10-0, 4th AFC East Division (Schedule and Results)
Coach: Joe Philbin (1-3-0) and Dan Campbell (5-7-0)
Points For: 310 (19.4/g) 27th of 32
Points Against: 389 (24.3/g) 19th of 32
2014 (Draft round picked: 19 Ja’Wuan James Offensive tackle Tennessee)
Record: 8-8-0, 3rd AFC East Division (Schedule and Results)
Coach: Joe Philbin (8-8-0)
Points For: 388 (24.3/g) 11th of 32
Points Against: 373 (23.3/g) 20th of 32
2013 (Draft round picked: 3 Dion Jordan Defensive end Oregon)
Record: 8-8-0, 3rd AFC East Division (Schedule and Results)
Coach: Joe Philbin (8-8-0)
Points For: 317 (19.8/g) 26th of 32
Points Against: 335 (20.9/g) 8th of 32
2012 (Draft round picked: 8 Ryan Tannehill Quarterback Texas A&M)
Record: 7-9-0, 2nd AFC East Division (Schedule and Results)
Coach: Joe Philbin (7-9-0)
Points For: 288 (18.0/g) 27th of 32
Points Against: 317 (19.8/g) 7th of 32
2011 (Draft round picked: 15 Mike Pouncey Center Florida)
Record: 6-10-0, 3rd AFC East Division (Schedule and Results)
Coach: Todd Bowles (2-1-0) and Tony Sparano (4-9-0)
Points For: 329 (20.6/g) 20th of 32
Points Against: 313 (19.6/g) 6th of 32
2010 (Draft round picked: 28 Jared Odrick Defensive tackle Penn State)
Record: 7-9-0, 3rd AFC East Division (Schedule and Results)
Coach: Tony Sparano (7-9-0)
Points For: 273 (17.1/g) 30th of 32
Points Against: 333 (20.8/g) 14th of 32
2009 (Draft round picked: 25 Vontae Davis Cornerback Illinois)
Record: 7-9-0, 3rd AFC East Division (Schedule and Results)
Coach: Tony Sparano (7-9-0)
Points For: 360 (22.5/g) 15th of 32
Points Against: 390 (24.4/g) 25th of 32
2008 ( Draft round picked: 1 Jake Long *Offensive tackle Michigan)
Record: 11-5-0, 1st AFC East Division (Schedule and Results)
Coach: Tony Sparano (11-5-0)
Points For: 345 (21.6/g) 21st of 32
Points Against: 317 (19.8/g) 9th of 32
2007 (Draft round picked: 9 Ted Ginn, Jr. Wide receiver Ohio State)
Record: 1-15-0, 4th AFC East Division (Schedule and Results)
Coach: Cam Cameron (1-15-0)
Points For: 267 (16.7/g) 26th of 32
2006 (Draft round picked: 16 Jason Allen-Defensive back-Tennessee)
Record: 6-10-0, 4th AFC East Division (Schedule and Results)
Coach: Nick Saban (6-10-0)
Points For: 260 (16.3/g) 29th of 32
BUT… of the last 3 years they found 2 of the best. I was pretty amazed to see Tunsil hadn’t given up a sack this season. He is looking much better. Pens are lower. Minkah is a darn good one too… Harris has been a big disappointment. Wished we had taken Watt.
Admin
Nice breakdown!
You wrote! The Phins “D” is struggling hard… again. The 2018
Admin if the Fins made the playoffs are they able to beat any body below?
The Rams secured the NFC West title in Week 13 by beating the Detroit Lions, and now they have their sights set on locking up a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the NFC.
The AFC contains more clinching scenarios this week, as New England and Houston can win their respective divisions, while Kansas City and the Los Angeles Chargers could secure playoff spots as they fight for the AFC West crown.
Admin this week end the Patriots need to clinched the AFC East Division and will come to play. How will the Dolphins prepare?
No, I don’t. Injuries are even worse now with Brendel and Howard out.