Phins Fans, ‘Be Realistic in Hope & Evaluation’

While Phins fans should hold out hope for a run of wins, they should also be realistic their evaluations

The abysmal New York Jets on deck for the Miami Dolphins, who are coming off a shocking defeat of the Baltimore Ravens on a two game win streak. With Miami favored to win this week, the hype meter is now cranked up to 11! The media machine–who were pushing that Brian Flores had lost the team, was was a terrible coach, and had a fractured relationship with Tua less than two weeks ago–is now wondering if Miami can run the table and make the playoffs.

Talk about whiplash!

While I’m not saying don’t hope for the miracle, I am saying be realistic and watch for the dubious in the media to flip the script at the first sign of things going south.

Phins fans must focus on the O-line

Talk of the defense and Tua has flooded the media’s talk as reasons for hope. But, you can bet with the best pay per head sites that this team will only go as far this offensive line will take them. I always say, “The O-line makes the NFL world go around.” This is as true a maxim gets in football.

So, put every aspect of this team on a second tier and focus just on the offensive line for all your hope this season and the future.

Here are some facts about this O-line:

1. % of pressures per snap is 25.7%, which is 24th worst. With 1 out of 4 snaps by the QB having pressure, this dispels the idea, ‘well, we throw 2nd most in the NFL, so negative pass blocking stats are bloated’.
2. Tua’s Time to Throw stat is 2.56 seconds and the o-line allows pressure in 2.3 seconds, which gives Tua .26 seconds to make his read.
3. Added context, Miami’s Intended Air Yards of 7.5 YPP ranks them 22nd. The Dolphins are in the bottom third of the league in most short throws.
4. The context of all context: Miami runs 12 personnel 58%, 24% of the time more than the 2nd place team running 12 personnel at 34%. This means Miami is using 2 TEs to support the pass protection 25% more than any other team and still generating these poor pass protection stats!

The season will go as far as this O-line takes them

I went over an in depth study of how Time of Possession affects the defense. And, TOP is mostly determined by the offense and more specifically the O-line using rushing attempts as the easiest way to generate positive TOP. Problem here is, the talent on the offensive line is poor and players are not assigned properly in their position.

1. Solomon Kindley cost two 4th Round picks and he is barely even practicing according to Omar Kelly.
2. 2nd Round pick Liam Eichenburg, who cost a extra 3rd Round pick to acquire, isn’t a left tackle and might not even be a right tackle… But, he’s play LT anyway. I am confident though he will contribute quality play somewhere at some point.
3. Austin Jackson cost the 18th Overall pick and was drafted as a LT is now playing LG and is just about equally bad at both positions. Ohh, don’t let the media fool you… he is terrible at LG. I can always do a nice film study to prove the naysayers wrong if needed. Really it would be very easy.
4. 3rd Round Michael Dieter took two seasons to earn a starting spot and then was quickly injured. He was solid in pass protection, but was a liability in the run game when he was in. We’ve had a rotation of scrap heap centers to replace him.
5. Robert Hunt was a 2nd Round pick, but is inconsistent as he loses technique and gap integrity on swaps and stunts often. Hunt does show promise… but, he is another player who takes years to get on track.
6. Starting Right Tackle Jesse Davis is a guard and swing man. His lone game as LG was his best game of the year… but, like a good solider he has been sacrificed to right tackle where the ridicule of his play haunts him. Good guys finished last.
7. Miami Traded for LT Greg Little, but he hasn’t seen a Regular Season snap and somehow landed on IR in practice.
8. Rookie Robert Jones show some good things in his one game of extended action, but he’s never sniffed extended play since.
9. Miami moved off Ereck Flowers and Ted Karras.in the offseason. Both players are playing better than anyone on the Dolphins O-line as starters for their new team. Very odd, dont’ you think?

I saw all this and highlight the O-line because if and or when things turn south, the media WILL go back to Flores sucks, the defense sucks, and Tua sucks at the drop of the hat. Don’t believe them. THE only thing confirmed to suck is this offensive line.

And exactly who is responsible for that? Drum roll, please…

…Chris Grier that’s who!

If Miami wants to ever to be respectable they must do at least these two things: Fire Chris Grier and build a quality offensive line. If this sounds like a witch hunt for Grier… it’s because it sure as hell IS! Most of the media will focus on everything other than Grier must go. NOT ME because if fans buy into it, Ross will have all the excuse he needs to stick with Grier for one more season. And if that happens, this O-line will be the same mess it’s been since 2007 when Grier became the head of college scouting. So, be hopeful Phins fans… but be smart and savvy and know your enemy! Go Phins!!!