Phins have little to hang their head about in this Week 1 loss
The bad news is the Miami Dolphins lost in their 2020 opener against the New England Patriots. But, despite the defeat, they were scrappy and showed a bunch of positive signs. So, even though the Phins opened the year 0-1, they appear headed in the right direction.
Now, it isn’t all roses and sunshine, so I’ll get the concerns out of the way first.
The half-empty take on the 2020 Week 1 loss
DeVante Parker was very effective with 4 targets for 4 receptions generating 47 yards… until the hamstring injury that has been nagging him forced him out of the game. Parker is key to the success of this offense and it will be hard to replace him. The concern now is that last year was an anomaly in his durability issues rather than a turn of the corner. When will Parker return and will he be around for long?
Preston Williams flashed and he’ll be fine, but he is still a bit raw. While Williams can match Parker in physical talent, he is still learning and isn’t as consistent as Parker yet.
Jakeem Grant has had some amazing returns… But, sometimes it looks ugly a little too often.
You can understand that Cam would skew the stats a bit, but the run defense had too many holes. Giving up over 200 yards on the ground on the day was ugly. The Bills will look to repeat the formula next week. It will be interesting to see the run D up close in the film.
This was a screwy game and tough to make a clear evaluation with one viewing. While Fitzpatrick threw three picks, two of them should have been defensive P.I. Seems like the refs were Patriots fans. But, if it wasn’t for a fluke fumble caused by Jerome Baker, the game would have been over mid-way through the 2nd Half. So, it will take a good look long into the tape to see the nuances you can’t get on the first go through…
… But, there were some strong positives that stood out though.
The half-full take on the 2020 Week 1 loss
Jerome Baker had one helluva’ game! 16 Tackles, a sack, a tackle for a loss, and a huge forced fumble. Did it finally click? Sure felt like it did. Yeah, he had one bone-headed penalty, but that’s very fixable. The question is where were all those tackles made. there was a ton of yards churned up.
Christian Wilkens was a force inside with 6 tackles, a sack, and 2 tackles for losses.
The biggest deal in my eyes was that a young offensive line played pretty well… good enough to win the game. They’ll only get better and that’s a huge deal. It doesn’t take the Best Pay Per Head Reviews to know the offensive line makes the football world go ’round!
Rookie safety Brandon Jones had 8 tackles! What a first game.
Tight End Mike Gesicki continues to be used correctly and he has taken advantage.
While Jakeem grant looked off in the return game he was solid in the receiving game. He was open over the top for a big gain, but Fitz couldn’t find him. It could be a sign of good things to come if he can stay healthy.
FB Chandler Cox was a bit of a bubble player, but he had a nice day with some key run blocks.
For a loss… it was bearable
Cam Newton is a rare talent and the Patriots are a veteran team playing at home. The Phins are a young team with so many new faces, but it never felt like a bully job. Preseason games would have been a huge help for the Phins, but for a veteran team like the Pats, not so much. The cards were stacked in New England’s favor, so I can grin and bear this defeat.
Miami will get a heavy dose of what the received this week from the Bills in Week 2. It will be very interesting to see how the Phins respond in a home game. Go Phins!!!
Okay, M.J.’s analysis is very accurate. We didn’t have a good day against the run, period. We missed our goal of keeping the other team under 100 yards rushing by a landslide. I can’t give our secondary a very good grade collectively against the run or the pass. The front will get better – no doubt! The offensive line, the tight end and that fullback will get better. We have a couple of running backs that will eventually be able to take some heat off of Ryan Fitzmagic who looked off yesterday. I rthink no preseason hurt these young players.
Next, is Buffalo! I don’t expect to beat them either. But I do expect to see improvement. I still like our head coach.
NOW! A word about the locker room protest. The NFL and the Dolphins haven’t kept up with current events. BLM has published their Marxist manifesto, which is about revolution and not anything I connect to social Justice. In fact, BLM has ignored the slaughter of young children, innocent black bystanders, black police officers and minority business owners. Corporate America , which includes the NFL, is sponsoring terrorism by funding and promoting this anarchist agenda. Has BLM fed one hungry Kid? Have they funded a failing school? Have they ignored all social justice issues that do not fit their reckless riot and burn tactics? I am sorry to see the Dolphins support group of radical anarchists when there is real headway that could be made to bring unity and harmony between races rather than such obvious division.
I’m into my third rewatch… the run D was a wash and repeat of the DE’s getting blown out on a double and the interior DL not beating the single (mostly Godchaux) or the backers not filling quick enough. Backers had the toughest day expect Van Noy. BLM was cheering for the two cops shot in an assassination attempt to die in front of the hospital… That’s is pretty grim. I’m fine with the team staying inside. Let it be about football instead of politics. BLM stated goal is to topple western culture… they are trash. Now, not everyone in BLM has the same goal… so I don’t broad stroke… but the institution itself is trash.
MJ, I am with you. I knew with no pre-season games, a young Dolphin team would stumble a little coming out of the gate. Still, I was not happy that essentially, the Pats controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides. Pleased to see that the OL did a good job of protecting the QB, but I thought we would do better opening holes in the running game. On the defensive side of the ball, our secondary did well, but our DL got pushed around. I was surprised with all the key veteran departures the team could not do a better job in those areas. I agree, 2 of the 3 interceptions were not Fitzpatrick’s fault, but as usual in NE, the calls generally only go one way! The Dolphins came into the game as a 7 point under-dog. Not bad considering in previous years, the number is usually in the mid to upper teens. This tells me that Vegas believes the Pats have lost a step, and that the Dolphins are going to be much improved. Before the game, I think I mentioned to you that I even thought we might be a better team over all vs. Pats? Time will tell. Now we have to turn our attention to the Bills who seem to be able to beat us, much more that us beating them. We can’t afford to go 0-2 in our division right out of the gate. It is still extremely early, but the Bills game is somewhat of a must win for me. 1-1 after 2 weeks and in our division (500) is not bad. I will take it! Go Fins.
Hey, Stephen starting my second run through to my usual 8-10 views… Yeah, this is a big game for sure this week. Bills will do pretty much what the Pats did for the most part. I was surprised I didn’t see a spy on Cam though… maybe I missed it. It was really about Cam all day. PArker out hurt was a major problem, Howard was nicked too. I don’t know the details on the defense until I spend time on the tape. Overall though, I think there was a lot to be hopeful about… if they build on this and don’t flatline or shrink back.
Okay, M.J.’s analysis is very accurate. We didn’t have a good day against the run, period. We missed our goal of keeping the other team under 100 yards rushing by a landslide. I can’t give our secondary a very good grade collectively against the run or the pass. The front will get better – no doubt! The offensive line, the tight end and that fullback will get better. We have a couple of running backs that will eventually be able to take some heat off of Ryan Fitzmagic who looked off yesterday. I rthink no preseason hurt these young players.
Next, is Buffalo! I don’t expect to beat them either. But I do expect to see improvement. I still like our head coach.
NOW! A word about the locker room protest. The NFL and the Dolphins haven’t kept up with current events. BLM has published their Marxist manifesto, which is about revolution and not anything I connect to social Justice. In fact, BLM has ignored the slaughter of young children, innocent black bystanders, black police officers and minority business owners. Corporate America , which includes the NFL, is sponsoring terrorism by funding and promoting this anarchist agenda. Has BLM fed one hungry Kid? Have they funded a failing school? Have they ignored all social justice issues that do not fit their reckless riot and burn tactics? I am sorry to see the Dolphins support group of radical anarchists when there is real headway that could be made to bring unity and harmony between races rather than such obvious division.
I’m into my third rewatch… the run D was a wash and repeat of the DE’s getting blown out on a double and the interior DL not beating the single (mostly Godchaux) or the backers not filling quick enough. Backers had the toughest day expect Van Noy.
BLM was cheering for the two cops shot in an assassination attempt to die in front of the hospital… That’s is pretty grim.
I’m fine with the team staying inside. Let it be about football instead of politics. BLM stated goal is to topple western culture… they are trash. Now, not everyone in BLM has the same goal… so I don’t broad stroke… but the institution itself is trash.
MJ, I am with you. I knew with no pre-season games, a young Dolphin team would stumble a little coming out of the gate. Still, I was not happy that essentially, the Pats controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides. Pleased to see that the OL did a good job of protecting the QB, but I thought we would do better opening holes in the running game. On the defensive side of the ball, our secondary did well, but our DL got pushed around. I was surprised with all the key veteran departures the team could not do a better job in those areas. I agree, 2 of the 3 interceptions were not Fitzpatrick’s fault, but as usual in NE, the calls generally only go one way! The Dolphins came into the game as a 7 point under-dog. Not bad considering in previous years, the number is usually in the mid to upper teens. This tells me that Vegas believes the Pats have lost a step, and that the Dolphins are going to be much improved. Before the game, I think I mentioned to you that I even thought we might be a better team over all vs. Pats? Time will tell. Now we have to turn our attention to the Bills who seem to be able to beat us, much more that us beating them. We can’t afford to go 0-2 in our division right out of the gate. It is still extremely early, but the Bills game is somewhat of a must win for me. 1-1 after 2 weeks and in our division (500) is not bad. I will take it! Go Fins.
Hey, Stephen starting my second run through to my usual 8-10 views… Yeah, this is a big game for sure this week. Bills will do pretty much what the Pats did for the most part. I was surprised I didn’t see a spy on Cam though… maybe I missed it. It was really about Cam all day. PArker out hurt was a major problem, Howard was nicked too. I don’t know the details on the defense until I spend time on the tape. Overall though, I think there was a lot to be hopeful about… if they build on this and don’t flatline or shrink back.