Scrappy Phins Sloppy In Loss… But Staff Shares Blame

M.J.

4 years ago

Phins fought hard but made too many mistakes against the more talented Bills

Miami’s chance to notch a three-game win streak against the Bills took big hits early and often Sunday. A pitiful rushing attack and sloppy play on special teams were strong indications that the Phins were in for a long day. Despite a strong effort, these indications proved prophetic as the Dolphins fell to 2-8 on the season.

Now, the game wasn’t without consolation prizes. Despite the self-sabotage and obvious talent difference between the two teams, the Phins earned a handful of chances to flip the script. But, every time they made progress, they shot themselves in the foot soon after. Still, the backbone of the loss resides on the lack of a run game… and the fault of that is on the doorstep of the staff.

Talent deficient teams depend on strong discipline & a solid run game

Yes, Kalen Ballage is the easy patsy. But, it’s been clear for some time that the chemistry between the skillsets of the Phins offensive line and Ballage is terrible. And when you add to the mix the front 7 talent of the Bills, blitzing nearly every down, it’s disastrous.

The staff should have seen this a mile away, planned better, and adjuted to the Bills aggressive play-calling much sooner.

First Half issues with the run game

T Julian Davenport blocked the wrong man and Ballage had no chance.
TE Smythe missed a block and Ballage reacted/ read late.
Ballage missed his block and Gaskin had no chance.
Predictable play call of 1st Down run was met with 6 Bills rushers… and Smythe was again beat.
TE Wolford was blown up and backed into pulling guard. Ballage read/ reacted late and bounces inside instead of out.

Other issues on offense

The screen game was obvious to the Bills.
1st Down run calls are too predictable.
The staff didn’t adjust to the Bills constant blitz calls.
Allen Hurns started hot then went ice cold.
O’Shea may be allergic to RB Laird getting run calls.

What Kalen Ballage is… and what he is not

Kalen Ballge is a powerful, committed, and fast running back with narrow hips, limited lateral agility, and low re-start acceleration. He isn’t the type of back who can pick through the trash before he hits the line of scrimmage. This is why Walton thrived where Ballage doesn’t because his vision and short-area speed and agility are superior. But, with a better line that allows Ballage to be a one-cut, downhill runner at or after the line of scrimmage, he’ll shine quite brightly.

This realty is obvious.

What isn’t as obvious is why Laird and Gaskin aren’t getting more calls in the run game. It seems that Chad O’Shea might be allergic to Laird getting touches to rush the ball. Now, Laird isn’t nearly as fast or strong as Ballage, but he has far superior lateral agility and vision. Both Laird and Gaskin are a poor man’s version of Walton. Continually neglecting this reality and forcing Ballage in an unconducive environment is the definition of insanity.

Miami’s O-line isn’t (and will never be with this lineup) a run-blocking unit. Now, if you inserted Reed at Right Guard, Boehm at Center, Prince at Right Tackle, and Davis to Left Tackle… the story could change. To be realistic, this might bring new issues as Kilgore is a captain and Prince struggles in pass blocking.

As it is, Webb / Davenport can’t run block and Kilgore is a stalemate blocker at best and the Tight Ends aren’t reliable run blockers. Ballage won’t ever be even decent under these conditions. The easy fix till Walton returns is give Laird and Gaskin more touches in the run game and save Ballage mostly for short downs, Red Zone, and I-Formations.

But, even with this flaw and the loss, there were plenty of bright spots…

WR DeVante Parker has earned his job, respect… and I dare say trust with his excellent year.
CB Nik Needham is playing really well. A few more weeks of this and we could have a real gem at cornerback.
DTs Godchaux and Jenkins are bright spots. I hope like heck, Jenkins is brought back. He’s playing like a Top 10 tackle!
TE Gesicki is getting better and better in both receiving and blocking.
Imagine if QB Fitzpatrick had a quality O-line?
Phins onsides kicking game has been lights out.
RB Laird is flashing as a receiver… would be nice to see what he could do rushing the ball.
WR Grant looks like he 100%.
DE/LB Biegel continues to remind me of Rob Ninkovich

I still see the Phins as trending upwards, but…

Yes, the loss was hard to stomach, but it didn’t wreck my hope that we are on the right track. Still, Chad O’Shea needs to up his game. The rest of the staff is proving to be sound, so despite the talent shortcomings, I expect better from this offense.

Walton won’t be back for a couple of weeks and Davenport seems to have a serious knee issue, so O’Shea needs to figure a better plan than the ‘same-ole, same-ole’ feed Ballage routine on 1st Down.

Even a marginal run game will allow the Dolphins to be competitive over most of their remaining games. You can bet with the Per head services like www.AcePerHead.com that just 2-3 yards per carry would make a big difference compared to zero or negative returns. If we see a rinse and repeat of Ballage against the Browns, my opinion of O’Shea will begin to sour.

Hey, maybe the Browns without their two starting Defensive Ends will put lipstick on a pig? You never know. But, even if it does, the current run philosophy and design is still a pig. Go Phins!!!