Site icon Phins News

What Phins Fans Have To Be Thankful For

M.J.

Phins Fans do have some good things to focus on.

Underneath the ugly lurks some good news for Phins Fans

This isn’t the season that Phinsnews Fans had hoped for. So far, there hasn’t been a ton of pretty to look at. Despite the ugliness, so far, Miami is still in position to salvage 2018. Likey or not, 5-5 is in striking distance of the Post Season.

Today is Thanksgiving, Phinsnews hopes you all are enjoying time with family and good food. There isn’t much better than that in my book.

So, in the vein of thankfulness, let’s look over some good news with our beloved Miami Dolphins.

The level of discipline from the 2018 Dolphins should surprise Phinsnews Fans

First, the biggest improvement that Phinsnews thought was needed this year was team discipline. And despite how it feels, Miami has improved tremendously in the reduction of penalties committed.

Miami is currently tied in 9th place with 4 other teams with 61 team penalties. Miami’s 61 penalties have cost them 554 yards (19th). Miami’s 9 pre-snap penalties on offense are tied for 3rd with the Titans.

Given the amount of fluctuation of personnel across nearly every position of the team. This is good news to sink your teeth into and it does offer hope to those who believe Miami can still make the Playoffs.

Does it erase all the other coaching issues? No. But it does put a good light on Gase and the staff for maintaining this level of discipline despite ALL the injuries.

This is a stark improvement over the 2016 and 2017 Seasons where they ranked 30th with 125 penalties and 31st with 149, respectively.

To put it into perspective, the Colts already have 74 with an equal amount of games played as the Dolphins… and far less turnover of personnel.

Discipline will be key to make a miracle happen over these next 6 games… and should Gase and Co. return in 2019.

Miami appears to have hit on at least three players from this year’s draft.

Minkah Fitzpatrick isn’t a physical freak like Derwin James, who is having a DROY season, but there isn’t a fan complaining about him. Fitzpatrick is #1 of all rookies with 48.6 coverage rating. The next closest rating is 50% less by Denzel Ward with 73.7. That’s pretty damn good. Fitzpatrick has played high and low, inside and out in the defensive secondary. At every spot, he has been productive. That’s not easy for a rookie. But Minkah isn’t like many rookies, and he will certainly be a foundational block of this franchise for a long time to come.

Also, Jerome Baker looks like a good find with a PFF Grade of 72.6. He is playing equal to or better than Kiko. He could be considered the best Dolphins Linebacker on the roster.

Add in Jason Sander, who is ranked 10th among kickers, and you have the foundation for a solid draft. Now if Mike Gesicki can only find his way. But we are staying positive here, so….

Key players have shown much-needed growth or were good Free Agent pick-ups:
  1. Laremy Tunsil is proving to be what fans hoped for. He only has 3 penalties on the season and has held up very well with a 73.8 PFF Grade.
  2. Nick O’Leary was a good pick up and picked up the slack left by the growing pains of Mike Gesicki and the injury to A.J. Darby.
  3. T.J. McDonald has started to play like we hoped and will be the in-the-box Safety for years to come… with Minkah as the single High behind… at some point.
  4. Davon Godchaux (PFF 72.3) has played well as a starter in replace of Suh (PFF 75.7). He was an excellent addition for a 6th Round pick.
  5. Vincent Taylor is another great pick up in the draft. When he is healthy both he and Godchaux will be a good pair at Defensive Tackle.

YES, I’d love to see Ryan Tannehill on this list and to have a winning record… but today isn’t about picking at the scab.

Maybe by the season’s conclusion, things will change, and Tannehill will lead us to a storybook ending. Why not… I’m juiced up on turkey and ready to believe! Today is a celebration of thanks… so I’ll stay positive. Enjoy your celebration… and Go Phins!!!

—

Start an Online Sportsbook Site

Top Bookie Tips:

Exit mobile version