Dolphins postgame thoughts

[HPF Bob]

I wondered too if they didn't stick with Foster too long when the game was no longer in doubt. Holliday scares me in kick returns the way Jacoby Jones did - it might be great or it might be terrible. I sometimes think the best return man we ever had was J.J. Moses. He lacked the fourth gear but he rarely made mistakes.

Jags didn't look too impressive against the Vikings but they almost pulled it out. I'm guardedly optimistic whenever we play in our second home state.

[barrett]

I don't think fumble concerns should be an issue with a 3 TD 4th quarter lead against the dolphins. You have to get Foster off the field there.

[Roy P]

I am wondering about OT Ryan Harris, and just how long he needs to practice with the team before he supplants Newton at RT. I think he was a great signing after Butler's injury and would believe he'd be an upgrade in the Run Blocking department & possibly better pass protection as well. Keeping my fingers crossed.

I was not pleased with the way Miami was able to run the ball. MJD will have a field day against us if we don't figure something out.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Roy P

I am wondering about OT Ryan Harris, and just how long he needs to practice with the team before he supplants Newton at RT. I think he was a great signing after Butler's injury and would believe he'd be an upgrade in the Run Blocking department & possibly better pass protection as well. Keeping my fingers crossed.

I was not pleased with the way Miami was able to run the ball. MJD will have a field day against us if we don't figure something out.

I honestly think we were just as soft at times last year (maybe even softer against Miami last year when Daniel Thomas gouged us). I just think NFL teams rarely stay with the run. Miami abandoned the run even with Tannehill having no success and over a half to play. Most OCs are passing game guys to start with, and then they can't be labeled an offensive genius or get a head coaching job for calling a hand off. Great running teams are always looking for ways to prove they are now passing teams.

Plus, when you are running game centered, one penalty or one run for loss kills your drive. Or if you do get down field, things usually stiffen in the redzone.

So as long as we put points on the board and the opposing offense has to keep up, I doubt anyone exposes our soft underbelly too badly.

[Nconroe]

All true. I was thinking after first quarter our defense adjusted some and one or two guys would stay home up the middle. Once they did that Miamis runs became much less successful as well.

[Nconroe]

Btw, thought Kevin Walters had several good receptions as well.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Holliday scares me in kick returns the way Jacoby Jones did - it might be great or it might be terrible. I sometimes think the best return man we ever had was J.J. Moses. He lacked the fourth gear but he rarely made mistakes.

Jags didn't look too impressive against the Vikings but they almost pulled it out. I'm guardedly optimistic whenever we play in our second home state.

I'm thinking Holliday is on a real short lease and one more game like Sunday and he's gone. And isn't Tuesday the day they often release players ? First he's gotta get thru today ?
Looking at the Minny-Jags stats, Gabbert had 2 TDs and 0 pics with 2 sacks so maybe he's playing better his soph year. Wonder if Barwin is getting excited right now after getting 4 sacks on Gabbert last year in one game ? Connor sure looked bigger Sunday, and not as quick as last year I thought ?

[Keith]

I expected to see an injury report on Schaub's shoulder the way his passes lacked velocity. I know he doesn't have a strong arm, but man his passes looked different to me on Sunday. Maybe he just slept funny on his shoulder Saturday night.

That and why are we signing an extension the day of the opener? Might that have given the starting QB a restless night or something?? I dunno. In the 2nd half the passes were a little sharper iirc.

[popanot]

Originally Posted by Keith

I expected to see an injury report on Schaub's shoulder the way his passes lacked velocity. I know he doesn't have a strong arm, but man his passes looked different to me on Sunday. Maybe he just slept funny on his shoulder Saturday night.

I agree and posted in the gameday thread during the first half that his passes had zero zip on them. He did look better in the second half, though. I'm hoping it was just rust from not playing for awhile and perhaps a sprinkle of him just playing it safe and not trying forcing things while getting reacclimated with the speed of the game. This game did count so maybe he was a bit apprehensive. I certainly hope it's not an injury.

[popanot]

I think a big reason for the struggles with stopping the run is the lackluster play at ILB. They seemed to be waiting for the RB to hit their area rather than moving forward and attacking the LOS. We all know Cush is great, but you can tell those ribs are still bothering him (and definitely after that body-slam on the INT). James is a mess and you can't rely on the other guys.

This D could be SanFran 49er good with an upgrade at the other ILB position. We might be wishing we had never traded Demeco, especially if Cush can't regain full strength. Demeco had lost a step, but he was fearless and attacking at all times. This may sound insane, but I think they should try Mercilus or Reed at the other ILB (I'd try Reed).

[barrett]

Originally Posted by popanot

I think a big reason for the struggles with stopping the run is the lackluster play at ILB. They seemed to be waiting for the RB to hit their area rather than moving forward and attacking the LOS. We all know Cush is great, but you can tell those ribs are still bothering him (and definitely after that body-slam on the INT). James is a mess and you can't rely on the other guys.

This D could be SanFran 49er good with an upgrade at the other ILB position. We might be wishing we had never traded Demeco, especially if Cush can't regain full strength. Demeco had lost a step, but he was fearless and attacking at all times. This may sound insane, but I think they should try Mercilus or Reed at the other ILB (I'd try Reed).

I agree it was an issue sunday. The truth is that Cushing has to be a mad man for our scheme to work. He was less than that Sunday and it showed. Hopefully it is not an injury that lingers and hopefully nobody is patient enough to make us pay for it.

But I am not worried about Demeco being gone. If they have to turn to Dobbins he is fine when it comes to filling the hole and playing forward. Playing Mercilous or Reed would mean 6 guys on the field who can't cover. I am not excited for that since we already struggled with Bush out of the backfield the other day.

I'd say just play more Nickel/Dime but we cut Nolan for a ST guy (and then promptly gave up a return TD). So if it comes down to what we have at ILB on early downs or a DE/OLB or Keo, I say play with what we have. The way Quinn and Manning started getting into the backfield the last 3 quarters helped too as long as we aren't playing a great passing team.

[cadams]

i think it seems pretty clear that cushing's ribs were bothering him on sunday. one other thing i did hear during an interview was that they kept waiting for bush to try to bump his runs to the outside as he has in the past to avoid big runs, and that bush consistently took the cut back lane to the inside. not sure if this is just spin, but it makes at least a little sense. hopefully that was one of the big causes of the issues. we will see if it was this weekend, because mjd is going to run right at them.

[popanot]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Holliday scares me in kick returns the way Jacoby Jones did - it might be great or it might be terrible.

I know they wanted to evaluate Holliday, but for the life of me I can't understand why they didn't give Martin a few reps at KR/PR during the preseason. If it's because the fall back plan was/is Manning, that's just poor planning, IMO, when you have an ideal low-risk/non-critical candidate in Martin sitting there on your active roster. He's done it in college but he still should have had some preseason reps if he is in fact option #2 or #3.