Phins Offense struggled big time, but the easy answer isn’t the right one
The Phins took a beating to the tune of 43-0 by the Patriots in Week 2 and were handed their 2nd ugly loss this season.
So far, the Dolphins have the 3rd worst start in NFL history in point differential.
Uglyyyy!
But, even the most doubtful have to admit that they were surprised to see Miami down only 16 points with 2 minutes left in the 3rd Quarter.
The two primary issues Phinsnews pointed out about the Dolphins defense in Week 1 vastly improved and the ‘fixes’ made a big difference. Safety Bobby McCain stopped his obvious assignment ‘tells’ and the run fits on the D-line sharpened. Major break downs in run defense were few and far between. The passing defense, sans CB Eric Rowe and Jomal Wiltz, also made big strides. Both Rowe and Wiltz have a current PFF coverage grade of 29% on the season. Flores needs to address this and demotion might be the answer.
Still, minus both these players, the defense played well enough to win. Given the firepower that the Patriots had, the Phins only managed 264 through the air and 126 on the ground was commendable. In comparison, last week, the Patriot put up 465 on the Steelers.
And when you factor in the amount of time the defense was on the field and their lack of quit, this defense showed a ton of heart. Still, before we bet on them with the sports betting sites for bookmakers, let’s see this type of play for a few weeks.
The main reason for this debacle was the Dolphins offense was horrific.
Now, the common call is that the blocking of the Offensive Line is primarily to blame. Well, that’s not exactly the case. Before you laugh, PFF and the play-by-play study in the next article will make this abundantly clear.
Here’s the quick PFF answer:
- LT Jesses Davis is ranked the 26th best Tackle and improved 14 points from Week 1 to Week 2 with a PFF Pass Prot. grade of (68.4). As a comparison, Laremy Tunsil has an overall PFF grade of 61.9.
- LG Michael Deiter is the 27th best Guard.
- Webb is 47th rated Tackle but has a 65 pass-blocking rating
- Kalen Ballage PFF Pass Prot. (86.4)
- TE Nick O’Leary PFF Pass Prot. (74.7)
- WR Preston Williams PFF Run Block (61.1) on 13 RB snaps
- WR Jakeem Grant PFF Run Block (61.0) on 13 RB snaps
Here’s where the blocking issues are:
- RB Kenyan Drake PFF Pass Prot. (25.5)
- FB Chandler Cox PFF Run Block (49.6)
- TE Durham Smythe PFF Pass Prot. (31.0)
- TE Mike Gesicki PFF Pass Prot. (18.1)
- C Daniel Kilgore PFF Run blocking (49.0)
- RG Danny Isidora PFF overall grade of (47.4) and Pass Prot. of (39.7)
- WR DeVante Parker PFF Run Block (40.6) on 17 RB snaps
- WR Allen Hurns PFF Run Block (36.8) on 11 RB snaps
While the O-line isn’t stellar and some change there are needed, the secondary blockers are the greatest offenders.
Add to this Kalen Ballage’s PFF receiving grade of 29.3, Fitzpatrick’s pass grade of 54.8 and his boneheaded picks, and the recipe for disaster is complete…
How can this Offense Improve?
Isidora was replaced by Boehm at the end of the game, who in his short stint had a PFF grade of 58.2. Moving Isidora out and Boehm in is a start. He won’t be great, but at this point, anything is better.
It’s time to scrap Drake from pass blocking. Either he doesn’t want to or can’t protect the quarterback. Mark Walton needs more reps in place of Drake and Ballage, who needs more developing his receiving game. Walton has flashed throughout the preseason and in his limited snaps of the Regular Season.
More Walton the better.
Next, it’s time to start Josh Rosen under center.
He will throw picks like Fitzpatrick, but the arm strength will add a different dimension to the offense. This team needs to threaten deep. Rosen, Parker, Grant, and Willams on the field at once will force the secondary back and open space underneath in the run and short passing game.
The cherry on top of a new recipe should be the reduction of DeVante Parker and the increase of Preston Williams’ starting role.
I do worry about Rosen’s ability to go through progressions, and the aim was likely for him to come in Week 6. But, things are dire for the mental health of the Phins. The defense has taken an awful beating and can’t have their will broke by Week 6.
Rosen starting for a shattered team will hurt the Dolphins on multiple fronts.
This offense can become decent
This offense just needs to leave ‘crapsville’ at this point. The blocking will improve by replacing some players and time for the right ones to gell. This is about being respectable at this point. Flores needs it, this team needs it, and the fans need it.
Flores said he wasn’t tanking and I still don’t believe it. Miami may lose this week, but the team, especially the offense, need to play as if they are a pro team. Getting 6 wins was my aim for 2019, and I still say they have the ability to hit that mark… with some player changes. Go Phins!!!
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