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Game 4 thoughts: Titans at Dolphins

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Game 4 thoughts: Titans at Dolphins Empty Game 4 thoughts: Titans at Dolphins

Post by JMP Sun Oct 08, 2017 4:41 pm

The Dolphins came away with their second victory, hanging on to barely beat a weak Titans team in a boring, sloppy game.  This game was highlighted by horrendous offense and stout defense, from both teams.

The Dolphins offense was about as bad as it gets.  Cutler was awful, taking bad sacks, displaying poor accuracy, and just generally looking like a loser.  His receivers didn’t help him, as I counted 4 drops (Thomas, Stills, Landry, Grant).  The Thomas, Stills and Landry drops all would have been first downs, and the Grant drop would have been a TD.  I have no idea why the smurf-sized Grant is being used on an end zone pass in traffic , but it was a bad drop.  Thomas missed several blocks and ended up with just one catch…he is terrible.  Landry ended up making some clutch catches and scored the winning TD.  Ajayi had a few nice runs, and once again a ton of tackles for loss as the OL continues to let defenders into the backfield on every run play.  Ajayi also lost a fumble.  Parker missed most of the game with – surprise – an ankle injury.  Overall, just an awful offensive effort.

In the first half, the crowd was loudly chanting “We want Moore!”  Announcer James Lofton summed it up well when he commented that even with the Phins up 10-3, there was a sense of dread in the stadium.  Much of this is due to Cutler – but it’s also the terrible playcalling by Gase.  Gase has no idea how to handle the running game, he has no idea how to create any flow or continuity on offense, and  he is way too conservative.  There wasn’t one deep pass thrown, and the majority of passes are thrown within 5 yards of the line.  On a 3rd and 17 today, the Phins threw a pass behind the line to Grant – which, of course, resulted in a loss.  At one point, Gase called another wildcat play – and again, it failed.   There’s just no rhyme or reason to anything Gase is doing on offense.  The Dolphins are still the only NFL team without a first half TD on offense, and the team had just 21 passing yards in the first half.  Even their field goal drive was only a 19-yard drive after a turnover.  Cutler ended up with a sub-50% completion percentage and under 100 yards.  Brutal.  This is the worst offense in the NFL, and it’s not close.  And Gase has no solutions.

Fortunately, the defense was absolutely stellar today.  Reshad Jones had an amazing games, making tackles all over the field and recovering 2 fumbles, one for a TD.  The fumble was caused by Kiko Alonso, who had an excellent first half with the sack/fumble and a tackle for loss.  Timmons made some nice tackles.  Andre Branch had a couple of sacks, Godchaux had a forced fumble, and Suh was a beast in the middle.  Even the Invisible Man – 1st round rookie Charles Harris – made an appearance, with a late sack to seal the victory.  Overall, an amazing game from the D, no doubt helped by the awful Matt-Cassel-led Titans offense, but still a great game.
 
Special teams wasn’t so great, with Grant doing nothing on returns and Parkey missing an extra point.  On the plus side, rookie punter Matt Haack had an excellent game, with a bunch of long punts.

A win is a win, and you take ‘em how you get ‘em.  But let’s not kid ourselves: with this offense, the Dolphins aren’t going to win too many games.  At this point, with 4 consecutive bad offensive games, I think it’s time for Gase to give up playcalling duties – he’s clearly in over his head and doesn’t know what he’s doing.  Unfortunately, that is unlikely to happen because Gase is too stubborn and there’s no other playcaller on the coaching staff.  And, as bad as Cutler has been, I also don’t think Gase will replace him – again, because Gase is too stubborn and Cutler is making way too much money.   Anyway, this was another win that felt like a loss and it was really hard to watch.

Hero of the Game: Reshad Jones

Goats of the Game: Jay Cutler and Adam Gase


Last edited by JMP on Sun Oct 08, 2017 8:40 pm; edited 1 time in total

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Post by DolFan 316 Sun Oct 08, 2017 6:44 pm

What are you complaining about Jmp? The Fins have just as many losses as the Pats Razz

James Lofton is announcing now??? Shocked When did this become a thing???

Not sure what to make of the Titans. Their new GM seemed to have them on the right track last year but Mularkey's still coaching so that reduces their win total by about 3 or 4 each season by default and I heard their draft class this year was as bad as the Fins'. It seems like every team in the NFL is determined to be as bad as possible to give the Pats yet another title. Well, except for the Chiefs, they're playing the role of "team who everybody thinks can beat the Pats in the playoffs, but chokes instead."

Seems like these teams face each other every season BTW.

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Post by scotgif Mon Oct 09, 2017 12:03 am

Being at the game, here is my take on it: For the first real home game, it was a piss poor crowd. I read 65,000. Yeah, that is tickets sold. If there were more than 40,000 there, I did not see it. Maybe it is the new configuration of Hard Rock Stadium? I will say this, the fans that were there were really loud and supportive (disregarding the boos and the we want Moore chants), just a real live crowd.

Gase and Cutler did little to get the offense moving. Very little creativity. Cutler just looks so apathetic, but then again, that's just Jay being Jay. Ajayi had a couple nice runs, but once again, was hit behind or at the LOS way too much. The OL constantly gave up pressure to Cutler. The Titans may have only sacked him twice, but they were in his face all day.

Too many inaccurate passes, too many drops. Thomas is a waste. Let's try Fassano, or Gray. Speaking of Gray, he was the winner of this week's, "Let's waste a down with the now-obligatory weekly Wildcat attempt" contest. He wildly misses a sideline pass for an incompletion. Why they just didn't have Cutler throw the same pass to the intended receiver 3 years beyond the LOS is beyond me. Cutler has that pass down to a T.

Staring to worry just a bit at the extra point miss. Parkey has now missed 2 this year already. Only thing on his side is maybe he is just not getting enough reps.

Return game: Non-existent. Why they are risking Landry on ST punt returns is a little questionable, but I gave Gase credit for at least trying to get a spark from one of the few playmakers on the roster.

Defense: Pretty much lights out with the exception of the one Titan TD drive. Really like the wave of defenders we can throw at people.

Yes, a win is a win, but against how many other teams, would this offensive offensive effort have gotten us a win? MAYBE 2 or 3.

Falcons up next. The best team we have played so far. We will get a real insight as to just how good this team can be this year.
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Post by Degarmo Mon Oct 09, 2017 2:10 am

The Phins won and the defense looked good against Matt Cassel.

I leave with no more enthusiasm or positivity than I had going in.

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Post by CarsonChris Mon Oct 09, 2017 9:17 am

JMP said we don't have any other play caller on offense other than Gase. I completely disagree. I heard Chris Foerster is drawing lines everywhere.

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Post by JMP Mon Oct 09, 2017 9:19 am

CarsonChris wrote:JMP said we don't have any other play caller on offense other than Gase. I completely disagree. I heard Chris Foerster is drawing lines everywhere.

LOL What a disaster.

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Post by JEGnj Mon Oct 09, 2017 11:46 am

After a great Yankee game I finished the Fin's game this morning. Here's my take.
D played a great game and finally having veteran LBs that are in shape and know what they are doing made a HUGE difference.
OL is horrible and Cutler has to be up there on the list of terrible QB's since Marino left. Gase's play calling sucks.
We have a FG kicker that can bang 50 yarders but not hit an extra point.
Where is my boy Carroo? It's a conspiracy to hold him back.
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Post by JMP Mon Oct 09, 2017 12:44 pm

JEGnj wrote:
Where is my boy Carroo? It's a conspiracy to hold him back.

Carroo should have been on the field instead of Grant on the TD that Grant dropped. If you're going to run an end zone play in the middle of the field in traffic, use a big receiver with sure hands...not a smurf with bad hands. Just plain stupid.

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Post by DolFan 316 Mon Oct 09, 2017 1:01 pm

SO...does anybody think the Jones fumble return score that apparently everyone else on the field stood and watched finally makes up for the Chad Cota fumble return score during which everyone on the field stood around and watched during the second Fins-Colts game of '99?

Or is it just me remembering that and drawing the parallel because that loss finally got me resigned to the truth that Marino was never going to win a Super Bowl and I responded by angrily storming out of the house and just driving aimlessly around for a couple of hours?

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Post by JMP Mon Oct 09, 2017 1:39 pm

DolFan 316 wrote:SO...does anybody think the Jones fumble return score that apparently everyone else on the field stood and watched finally makes up for the Chad Cota fumble return score during which everyone on the field stood around and watched during the second Fins-Colts game of '99?

Or is it just me remembering that and drawing the parallel because that loss finally got me resigned to the truth that Marino was never going to win a Super Bowl and I responded by angrily storming out of the house and just driving aimlessly around for a couple of hours?

Damn, I hadn't thought of that play in ages! Yesterday doesn't make up for the Cota return, though...that TD yesterday did nothing but buy Gase some more time.

As far as the Dolphins defense, I'm not ready to crown them just yet...let's see what they do against the first powerhouse offense they've faced so far - the Falcons. The Bills held them in check...can Miami? Matt Ryan and Matt Cassel may share the same first name - but the comparisons end there. I have a feeling this "great" defense is going to get shredded.

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Post by CarsonChris Mon Oct 09, 2017 1:48 pm

Miami's defense was stellar. Burke may be a keeper. Probably lose him to another team looking for a head coach.

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Post by DolFan 316 Mon Oct 09, 2017 1:57 pm

CarsonChris wrote:Miami's defense was stellar. Burke may be a keeper. Probably lose him to another team looking for a head coach.

The run D seems to have magically gotten far better somehow. Burke so far seems to have truly made chicken salad out of chicken shit working with what has to be the league's worst LB corps. I'm not worried about the D at all unless another rash of injuries strikes, and even a month ago I never thought I'd say that. League's 4th fewest points per game allowed even saddled with this offense is worthy of a congressional medal of honor as far as I'm concerned.

In fact they are on pace to set a franchise record for fewest yards per carry allowed after harking up the second most in team history last season Shocked Shocked Shocked

http://pfref.com/tiny/WmgRo

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Post by CarsonChris Mon Oct 09, 2017 2:16 pm

Yep, Burke's got these guys blowing through lines likes Chris Foerster at hooker convention in Vegas!

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Post by rightchea Mon Oct 09, 2017 3:12 pm

you drawing a parallel. To be honest this has happened twice already. I not sure if this is going to be an ongoing situation but if it is then QB need to beware

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Post by JMP Mon Oct 09, 2017 6:36 pm

CarsonChris wrote:Burke may be a keeper.

Too early to say. So far we've faced two backup QBs and two one-dimensional offenses (passing teams that can't run), and zero good teams. Even bad QBs have high completion percentages against us. Wait till we face a real offense - then we'll see how good Burke is. We'll find out on Sunday. If the D plays good again against Atlanta, I'll give Burke props. If not - it's just another Dolphin coach that can't beat top teams.

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Post by Degarmo Mon Oct 09, 2017 6:37 pm

CarsonChris wrote:Yep, Burke's got these guys blowing through lines likes Chris Foerster at hooker convention in Vegas!

That's a little on the nose . . . or in the nose?

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Post by JMP Mon Oct 09, 2017 9:04 pm

Degarmo wrote:
CarsonChris wrote:Yep, Burke's got these guys blowing through lines likes Chris Foerster at hooker convention in Vegas!

That's a little on the nose . . . or in the nose?

The one good thing about this Foerster situation - other than getting him off the team, of course - is all the jokes we're getting from it. Pure comedy gold.

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Post by Degarmo Mon Oct 09, 2017 9:47 pm

How's Foerster as a coach?

He blows.

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Post by rightchea Tue Oct 10, 2017 12:14 am

Degarmo wrote:How's Foerster as a coach?

He blows.

cheers cheers cheers cheers

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Post by JMP Tue Oct 10, 2017 9:52 am

Hey scot - quick question since you were at the game.

Did you happen to notice Grant or Stills at all? I was wondering if they were getting open and Cutler just didn't see them, or if they're simply not getting separation. Seems strange that both players got a lot of snaps but were barely targeted at all.

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Post by scotgif Tue Oct 10, 2017 11:53 am

Grant played quite a bit, as well as Stills, who was in on most plays. What I did notice is that most times the receivers got little to no separation at all from the defender. And I had a good view of this, from being in end zone where you can see the angles better.

I was surprised that Grant got so much reps, compared to Caroo, who, I think only was in for 3 or 4 plays all day.

My biggest disappointment in the passing game, besides the obvious Cutler, is Stills. I was really starting to take a liking to this guy last year, but for some reason, I just do not see the chemistry between him and Cutler as when Tanny was playing. 

Like I say, it is uncanny how you see other games where the WR is running free, and we get shut-down corner play against us each week.
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Post by JMP Tue Oct 10, 2017 12:06 pm

scotgif wrote:Grant played quite a bit, as well as Stills, who was in on most plays. What I did notice is that most times the receivers got little to no separation at all from the defender. And I had a good view of this, from being in end zone where you can see the angles better.

I was surprised that Grant got so much reps, compared to Caroo, who, I think only was in for 3 or 4 plays all day.

My biggest disappointment in the passing game, besides the obvious Cutler, is Stills. I was really starting to take a liking for this guy last year, but for some reason, I just do not see the chemistry between him and Cutler as when Tanny was playing. 

Like I say, it is uncanny how you see other games where the WR is running free, and we get shut-down corner play against us each week.

Thanks for the insight. It's hard to tell on every play on TV, but when they do the full field shots I never see Stills open. I don't know what happened to him...he was such a huge part of the offense last season and really developed into a playmaker. But a speed guy that can't get open is useless. Maybe he's too busy counting his money???

As for Grant, I read that he got 33 snaps on offense but I honestly rarely noticed him while watching. I really don't get the fascination with this guy. He's a non-factor on returns, and he does nothing on offense. I get that he's fast and elusive, but his hands are terrible and I just don't think he can get open on the boundary against NFL-caliber cornerbacks. I'm sure every now and again he can sneak passed the coverage, but realistically how often will that happen? I think he'd be better off used on a gadget/trick play every now and then, and otherwise keep him on the bench.

Man, Caroo must really look bad in practice if he's not getting any snaps when Parker is out. Personally, I'd much rather have the bigger receiver on the field than the smurf. It seems like Caroo has made impact plays when given the chance, but the coaches clearly don't trust him for whatever reason. I think this staff has given up on him, and I bet he winds up on the inactive list each week once Rashawn Scott comes back.

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Post by DolFan 316 Tue Oct 10, 2017 12:09 pm

JMP wrote:Thanks for the insight.  It's hard to tell on every play on TV, but when they do the full field shots I never see Stills open.  I don't know what happened to him...he was such a huge part of the offense last season and really developed into a playmaker.  But a speed guy that can't get open is useless.  Maybe he's too busy counting his money???

You don't know what happened to Stills??? Really??? I'll give you a hint. Oh say can you see...

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Post by JMP Tue Oct 10, 2017 12:28 pm

DolFan 316 wrote:
You don't know what happened to Stills??? Really??? I'll give you a hint. Oh say can you see...

So...karma's a bitch? Wink

Seriously, though, teams are committing to the run against the Phins and Stills can't beat single coverage??? That's not good for $8 million a year.

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Post by white1 Tue Oct 10, 2017 3:33 pm

I wonder if it's less athletic ability and more the offense has become too predictable.

We've read that in an effort to get better production, the offense has been "dumbed down" with fewer options. It's possible defenders know what routes are coming based on reads that are easy to make. If they know the route, it's going to take a lot of work to separate.

You need misdirection, and you need some level of unpredictability to get receivers open. It's possible teams are just playing a lot of man (or zone for that matter), and knowing with high confidence where receivers are trying to go - then just get there first. Game over.
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