A few thoughts emerged from today's game:
1) Devante Parker and Mike Pouncey are not optional pieces of our offense. Parker is unique in his physicality; Pouncey is the difference between getting a push and not- we just couldn't establish the middle of scrimmage today on run plays.
2) We have a real leader on defense. Vance Joseph understands his personnel, makes smart in game adjustments, and can clearly command respect. Look at how the Dolphin DE's set the edge to control Wilson today instead of blindly chasing sacks. Our guys played as a team- it is too bad Wake lost his head with that personal foul, but otherwise, defensive discipline was exemplary.
3) Tannehill is going to run this year.
4) We are going to take shots when the other team attacks our underneath routes (as Seattle did today.) We need to convert those opportunities- Stills' drop is still making me nauseous.
5) We aren't good on special teams. It's not just the blocked field goal. Our punt coverage was awful, we missed opportunities to pin them inside the 20, and we covered their returns abysmally. Worse still, constant penalties negated positive field position all day. We probably lost 6 points in the punting game today.
6) Gase trusts his guys. Going for it on fourth was likely dumb (get your first point, especially in what is going to be a low scoring affair.) However, in a first game of what we hope is a long career, there are worse things than trusting your team. The fellas should want to give extra going forward for a coach who clearly believes in them. I hate the call; I am not the leader of the franchise, though.
7) Abdul-Quddus is the man.
8) Arian Foster is a strange player. He is beautiful to watch in space, but his days within the tackles might be past. It would be wise to get Pead healthy and involved in the trench work.
All in all, it was a gutting loss given that we left 13 points on the field and Seattle probably got all but 4 of theirs. It was, as several of us had called it, a completely winnable game, and losing these has a way of making 8-8 out of 9-7. However, there are many positives on both sides, and we have a team that fights until the whistle. There will be better days- I believe we have found the right leadership and a lot of the right personnel. I'm on the ledge- but it may turn out to be nice out here; I'm not planning on jumping.
Jay Lopez
Sunday, September 11, 2016
8 Quick Takes on Today's Game (and what it Foretells for the Season)
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Jay Lopez
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Good thing. I am not sure who could catch you. Certainly not Stills.
Yes Jay, there are still plenty of positives moving forward:
Grant, Carroo, our Safeties and getting healthy,
But this loss stings now and can wind up stinging even more at the end of the season.
Hahaha... Great comment, Carl. I feel you brother... and I agree. Losing this game is a bit like that dropped pass- an opportunity lost for no good reason.
same old same old, after 1 week, Patriots sitting alone at the top of the division. Makes me freaking sick.
same old same old, after 1 week, Patriots sitting alone at the top of the division. Makes me freaking sick.
Feel... but it's not for much longer. They are very smart but not all that talented anymore. Came down to a bad snap tonight in their game- and I don't think Arizona is what they were. We'll see... long way to go.
Foster is a cancer, bench stills for caroo, the coaching is fine, special teams needs to play cleaner. Oh, foster is a cancer....mark my words.
What leads you to that conclusion, Kelly? I don't know much about his personality...
The Stills drop was a killer. Would have shut the crowd up...still considering the score 12-10 on the road in Seattle. Eventually for this team to be a consistent winner, you have to win the winnable games when they present themselves...and then hope to steal a couple you have no business winning. But I must say in general, I feel like Gase and his staff....they are the solution to get it done..and this team can grow and become a playoff team under his leadership. I never felt like that about Philbin....ever. And if anyone wants to talk crap about Tannehill not being tough....he got laid out a few times today....and kept getting up. I really wanted that completion to Stills for Tanny....it was a great pass!
Call me Cornelius, because the good Doctor is spot on.
Great post Jay! Heartbreaking loss but there are certainly positives coming out of this game. Your comment is spot on about losing games like this has a way of making 8-8 out of 9-7. Let's hope we don't miss out on a playoff spot because of this loss. But if we do, it would likely mean that we have finally turned a corner. Phins up!!
Fake Phins fans need to stop over exaggerating the negatives, and focus on the realities. Yes, we lost(a game we COULD have won). Yes, our Oline wasn't very good(we're missing our cornerstone center, & still learning to gel). Yes, we had a MAJOR dropped pass(players don't get enough practice coming into the 1st game, & we see sloppy play within the WHOLE LEAGUE). BUT.... Name ONE pro anlyst who had the Phins playing this well?? ALOT of people in Vegas lost money because the Dolphins PLAYED BETTER THAN PROJECTED! PERIOD. If your a fan, this loss is GUT WRENCHING! -NOT because they're all terrible(like our pessimistic fake Phins fan base might suggest) BUT, because we had a REAL CHANCE to beat the team(most pro analysts) believe could be in "the big game" at years end. So, no we can't come away happy, because it hurts. But we can come away with some REAL OPTIMISM, & excitement that we FINALLY PROGRESSING!
Sorry, I wasn't referring to the writer of this article WHATSOEVER. I have just been reading(as many of my fellow fans can sympathize with) a bunch of overboard, negative nonsense from "so called Phins fans" on the message boards. It drives me mad. & I wish they would go patronize whatever team from wherever they originally called home. Because after all, we know their true colors aren't Aqua, & Orange. Nuf' said! Phins up!
EBret: So on board, my man! For the record, I was on this site a month ago saying to take the Phins +10.5 because the line was WACK!
Mark: Thanks Brudda. I think we are figuring out something excellent here- going to be an entertaining year.
Agreed. Take a look at the "same old Dolphins" article. We need to CALL OUT These writers who think it's acceptable to overexhagerate our problems, not do their research, & post the same rehashed drivel. It's UNACCEPTABLE, & the TRUE PHINS FANS are not going to stay silent anymore!! The "oh, your just a overly optimistic fan" response ISNT GOING TO WORK! We KNOW we have some problems.(so does every NFL organization). But calling this "the same team as last years" is just DEFAMATION OF CHARACTER! How in ANY WORLD is this Defense the same? How is this team AT ALL related to that team that played in London last year? It's NOT!- & -WE- the REAL Phins fans are DONE with your sensationalized "same old" sh**, you call an article!!!! Phins up! -& my names Eric Bretschneider for those whom wish to respond
Well said Eric. I'm going to riff off of this in my next article. You are spot on.
I'd be honored! Just keep it real, and fair, & I'm behind you 100%! -Much RESPECT! -Eric Bretschneider-