Phins Win with Fitzpatrick Calm in the Blitz-Storm
Phins Win with Fitzpatrick Calm in the Blitz-Storm
Fitzpatrick was a steady influence through the Greg Williams blitz-storm
The Miami Dolphins are 7-4 after their win over the New York Jets and are in the hunt for a playoff spot with the 7th seed. Despite the Jets being winless, they challenged the Phins offense with a blitz-storm from defensive coordinator Greg Williams. While the ‘return of Fitzpatrick’ wasn’t spectacular on the stat sheet, his poise under intense pressure was key in the Dolphins picking up the critical win.
The Jets blitzed, blitzed, and blitzed some more
Yes, the Jets have a terrible record… but this means little in a division games on the road. Just ask the Patriots about their division games against bad Dolphins teams over the years. The Jets are underachievers because of the erratic guidance of former Dolphins Head Coach Adam Gase, who isn’t qualified for his job. Gag-green’s roster is as good as the 2019 Phins roster, there was way more meat on this bone for them in 2020. Clearly, if our staff had their roster things would have a different record. Add in DC Williams, who won a Super Bowl, along with some good talent on the defense, and this was a very good win for Miami.
With excellent interceptions by the Phins defense offset by fumbles on offense, the game was decided by Jest screw-ups and Fitzpatrick standing strong under intense pressure all day…
… And let me tell you it was intense. In fact, it was the most pressure of the season.
Coach sums it up with a nice, red bow.
Sometimes good media guys don’t know what they’re saying
Look at the video below… ALL this pressure and blitz-feast were just on the first drive! And for Fitzpatrick, it was an entire day of this.
Then you get this?!
I like and read every one of these guys… But, you can’t be serious! You just can’t! Everyone loves Tua and wants him to succeed, but this isn’t about Gailey calling a better game for Fitz than Tua. This was about Fitzpatrick being an excellent quarterback for a franchise starved for two decades to have this kind of signal-caller. Tua saw a third of the pressure and blitzes against the Broncos and froze. After the game, Tua even said he didn’t see the open receivers that Fitzpatrick did.
This isn’t hating, it’s the truth.
This isn’t a knock on Tua either. He’s a rookie– ROOKIE–and rookies need time to develop and no two rookies develop the same. Dan Marino is one type of rookie who six games into his rookie season took off… well after an ugly earlier go where fans were calling for him to be pulled. Tom Brady is another type, who sat for a year and a half and then was a game manager for near half a decade before he became “the Brady” we know today.
Both quarterbacks took different roads, both are Hall of Famers. So if Tua takes his time to get it right… it’s all good. But, along the way, let’s not blow sunshine from our arse on the situation.
Tua IS the future, but Fitz IS the best Phins QB since Marino
All that matters is this kid becomes the best he can be… even if it takes some time. You can bet with the pay per head services that no sane person thinks Tua isn’t talented enough to be successful. But, only time will tell what that road is.
It’s clear that Tua needs time to move his brain from the college game to the pros. The problem is opposing defensive coordinators smell blood and won’t let up the pressure until he proves he can beat the heat. That’s okay! It’s about the destination. Will it take a week, a month, or a season? It will come when it comes.
Baker Mayfield was hot his first season and then faded. Tua was supposed to be injury-prone and Joe Burrow was lost for the year. We all want him to be a star sooner rather than later, but you can’t rush the process or minimize what Fitzpatrick is doing for this franchise.
Phins fans and Phins media… just enjoy our time with Ryan Fitzpatrick. These are good times after trudging through garbage for 25 years. Give the man his due.We’ve waited so long for this kinda’ play a quarterback. Let’s remember where we’ve come from and give thanks because nothing about tomorrow is a given… ask the Bengals. Go Phins!!!
I disagree about Tua not having an elite arm. Yes he does not have a cannon, but he has an excellent release and elite accuracy. Tua in college was very smart and was able to make decisions very quickly and go through his progressions. He is currently re-learning this on the pro level. It will take some time just like all the other rookie QB’s, but he can be special. I hope the team will convince Fitzpatrick to come back next season as a back-up and help tutor Tua! Team needs a stud MLB, and RT as our two #1 picks. Then with the RT we can move Jesse Davis over RG, or bring in a solid FA at RG as an upgrade and make Davis a “swing” player. Kindley & Hunt are good an d maulers, but they are a WIP! 2nd round picks OLB and maybe a top RB to give Tua more in the running game. Your thoughts?
Hey, Stephen, missed this post… sorry. I think I should have been more specific on what I meant on ‘arm’ velocity and power… no, you are correct his release and accuracy are very good. I mentioned that aspect but should have been more specific. Sorry. “Tua in college was very smart and was able to make decisions very quickly and go through his progressions. He is currently re-learning this on the pro level. It will take some time just like all the other rookie QB’s, but he can be special.” Agree… But, man, I’m having so much fun when my son comes and watches and is so surprised that Miami is winning. I want him to be a Phins fan… I not concerned about Tua’s future, but I’m caught between wanting to win now and looking long term. Fitz is the far better QB for now.., at least for the next couple of weeks. If Tua can make a huge jump in calming down that might change. I like so much about the kid, but his injury history… Also, he seems like such a nice guy and that might be part of his slowness to getting relaxed. He will in time grow calm, but right now, the game is move so fast… too fast. He’s playing today, so it will be a good game to settle down… next week against the Chief will be a tough game. They score and bring pressure… I t will be agreat test.
Yeah, more OL, I agree MLB is the biggest need. Davis is far better at RG. Better than Kindley. But, it takes time to develop. I think Flowers is playing well, but moving on from him over Davis is my move. I’d move Davis to LG, Hunt to RG and as you said draft a RT. Of course, it would take time to develop him unless he’s a brillant player. Flowers contract ends in 2022… Hey, hope all is well with you and the family! Have a great New Year and Christmas, brother!!!!
I agree on a speed vertical threat being an asset that’s missing, but Stills tried to usurp Flores’s authority… so, I don’t see him coming back. But, A deep threat, I do. Williams when he returns from injury could fill that void for this season, though.m David.
The coach says we go with Tua when he is healthy. Tua can beat the Bengals and the Pat’s. Forget about the Chiefs. The big showdown would be the Bills.
Down the stretch ALL teams are a threat; as Miami found that out against the Wets. The Bengals will not be easy either. Miami needs to go back to what they were doing 3 weeks ago; START FAST! Miami needs to score as many points as possible in the 1st and 2nd quarters. This will begin again when Miami gets a legitimate deep threat. (KENNY STILLS)
They played surprisingly well this week without Burrow. I agree it won’t be a cakewalk, but the Phins should win. Yeah, this team is built around a fast start. Tua is in a rough spot. Being on a world-class college team doesn’t prepare a QB for the NFL where everything is much tighter because the talent levels aren’t so different. You could see in his 2nd and 3rd game, when the D was slower, presented less pressure, and wasn’t as complex that Tua looked excellent for a youngin’. The game will slow down in time… until then, his play will be hot and cold. QB is the most challenging position in all of sports. We need to be realistic and patient… if he can stay healthy his time will come when he’ll play up to his talent. When? Only time will tell. But, a better oline and a deep threat will help limit the pressure and help him develop.
Def can beat the Bengals… Pats will be tricky though. Expect Bill to mess with Tua with pressure and mixed zones. If Tua can slow the game down in his head and build some confidence, we could see the real Tua. Kid has talent as we saw in his 2nd and 3rd games. I’m worried though, Van. Not long term… but, it would be really good for this team to make the playoffs. Flores is smarter than me, so I’ll trust his process. Bills would be very tough… Chiefs too. I love Tua as a kid, but I want him to get a little chippy and not be so honest to the media. They are the enemy. This will be a very interesting week! Tua or Fitz? We need a win. I do love Fitz though and am very grateful to have him and the credibility he has brought to this franchise. He should be healthy… so, I’ll assume he starts… Go Phins, go Tua.
MJ,
I disagree about Tua not having an elite arm. Yes he does not have a cannon, but he has an excellent release and elite accuracy. Tua in college was very smart and was able to make decisions very quickly and go through his progressions. He is currently re-learning this on the pro level. It will take some time just like all the other rookie QB’s, but he can be special. I hope the team will convince Fitzpatrick to come back next season as a back-up and help tutor Tua! Team needs a stud MLB, and RT as our two #1 picks. Then with the RT we can move Jesse Davis over RG, or bring in a solid FA at RG as an upgrade and make Davis a “swing” player. Kindley & Hunt are good an d maulers, but they are a WIP! 2nd round picks OLB and maybe a top RB to give Tua more in the running game. Your thoughts?
Hey, Stephen, missed this post… sorry. I think I should have been more specific on what I meant on ‘arm’ velocity and power… no, you are correct his release and accuracy are very good. I mentioned that aspect but should have been more specific. Sorry.
“Tua in college was very smart and was able to make decisions very quickly and go through his progressions. He is currently re-learning this on the pro level. It will take some time just like all the other rookie QB’s, but he can be special.”
Agree… But, man, I’m having so much fun when my son comes and watches and is so surprised that Miami is winning. I want him to be a Phins fan… I not concerned about Tua’s future, but I’m caught between wanting to win now and looking long term. Fitz is the far better QB for now.., at least for the next couple of weeks. If Tua can make a huge jump in calming down that might change. I like so much about the kid, but his injury history… Also, he seems like such a nice guy and that might be part of his slowness to getting relaxed. He will in time grow calm, but right now, the game is move so fast… too fast. He’s playing today, so it will be a good game to settle down… next week against the Chief will be a tough game. They score and bring pressure… I t will be agreat test.
Yeah, more OL, I agree MLB is the biggest need. Davis is far better at RG. Better than Kindley. But, it takes time to develop. I think Flowers is playing well, but moving on from him over Davis is my move. I’d move Davis to LG, Hunt to RG and as you said draft a RT. Of course, it would take time to develop him unless he’s a brillant player. Flowers contract ends in 2022…
Hey, hope all is well with you and the family! Have a great New Year and Christmas, brother!!!!
Add Kenny Stills and Tua will blossom IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Miami’s offense would unstoppable with Parker & Stills on the field at the same time.
I agree on a speed vertical threat being an asset that’s missing, but Stills tried to usurp Flores’s authority… so, I don’t see him coming back. But, A deep threat, I do. Williams when he returns from injury could fill that void for this season, though.m David.
The coach says we go with Tua when he is healthy. Tua can beat the Bengals and the Pat’s. Forget about the Chiefs. The big showdown would be the Bills.
Down the stretch ALL teams are a threat; as Miami found that out against the Wets. The Bengals will not be easy either. Miami needs to go back to what they were doing 3 weeks ago; START FAST!
Miami needs to score as many points as possible in the 1st and 2nd quarters. This will begin again when Miami gets a legitimate deep threat. (KENNY STILLS)
They played surprisingly well this week without Burrow. I agree it won’t be a cakewalk, but the Phins should win. Yeah, this team is built around a fast start. Tua is in a rough spot. Being on a world-class college team doesn’t prepare a QB for the NFL where everything is much tighter because the talent levels aren’t so different. You could see in his 2nd and 3rd game, when the D was slower, presented less pressure, and wasn’t as complex that Tua looked excellent for a youngin’. The game will slow down in time… until then, his play will be hot and cold. QB is the most challenging position in all of sports. We need to be realistic and patient… if he can stay healthy his time will come when he’ll play up to his talent. When? Only time will tell. But, a better oline and a deep threat will help limit the pressure and help him develop.
Def can beat the Bengals… Pats will be tricky though. Expect Bill to mess with Tua with pressure and mixed zones. If Tua can slow the game down in his head and build some confidence, we could see the real Tua. Kid has talent as we saw in his 2nd and 3rd games. I’m worried though, Van. Not long term… but, it would be really good for this team to make the playoffs. Flores is smarter than me, so I’ll trust his process. Bills would be very tough… Chiefs too. I love Tua as a kid, but I want him to get a little chippy and not be so honest to the media. They are the enemy. This will be a very interesting week! Tua or Fitz? We need a win. I do love Fitz though and am very grateful to have him and the credibility he has brought to this franchise. He should be healthy… so, I’ll assume he starts… Go Phins, go Tua.