Dolphins postgame thoughts

[barrett]

There was little talk today so I figured I'd create some conversation. And if this doesn't work Chuck and I can have another grammar battle.

Run Game
I thought we blocked well early, especially in the redzone. We didn't get any explosive plays in the run game, and that was a problem. I did not notice the right side being a particular problem. In the 2nd half Kubiak showed he would still rather win 30-10 than 50-10 and it allowed the Dolphins to know what was coming. I would have no problem with this strategy to shorten the game if it was coupled with getting a few guys out of the game. Why run a slightly banged up Foster in the 4th quarter with a 3 TD lead against a team that would not score 3 offensive TDs in a month against us? Why not Tate and Forsett in that situation? Either way our run game is setup by the pass (and vice versa) and without the threat of the bootleg we don't physically whip people.

Passing game
They were out of sync early but part of it was lack of possession. The Dolphins kept us off the field and made it hard for us to get into a rhythm (and Schaub is definitely a rhythm guy). AJ was obviously great. He is so versatile. No other WR in the league is great at so many elements of the position (route running, speed, size, YAC, stretching the field, playing the ball in the air, coming out of routes, etc...). If he is healthy we are set at WR. It was also good to see the other guys start to get comfortable in a game setting. Jean's non-TD was encouraging even if he dropped it. Just the fact that he is a threat to do that and we will actually call it is great. I also thought OD looked better yesterday than at any time last season. James Casey was also used in smarter ways yesterday than we have in a while. It is no use having a FB like him if you won't use him as a weapon, but yesterday they did. The circle route on 3rd and short was beautiful and will be there all day if they match personell like he is a FB. The OL pass blocked well and again I didn't notice a huge difference between the Right and Left side performance wise or what we ran in each direction.

Run Defense
Soft early. I am talking SOFT. We penetrate so much we can just be exposed at times. Luckily NFL teams not coached by Gary Kubiak won't stay patient/stubborn in the run game. There were a number of times they were moving it in the run game and then would call a pass and end up in 2nd or 3rd and long. We are especially when Cushing is not fantastic. He missed a few tackles here and there which is a down day for him. I didn't notice Cody or Smith all day. Brooks Reed was fantastic as an edge setter and contain man. Quinn and Manning both played with no regard for Miami's passing game and were around the LOS a lot.

Pass defense
The pass rush was solid but not spectacular. I think the only sacks came from the DL. Watt is uncanny with getting his hands up and it is obviously contagious. I don't know if it is a coaching thing or our guys are just good at it. Barwin had a few pressures but was average. Same with Reed. Cushing did not blitz as much as he did at times last year. He also got shook a few times attempting to tackle Bush in space after short catches. That is rare for him. Kareem Jackson was actually very good. He got his head around on the ball a few times and even undercut a slant. He also was in the right place on the INT (like Cushing). JJ was JJ and largely took away half the field.

Special teams
Awful. Holliday needs to be confident enough that he made the team that he is not trying to force things on every return. Or cut him if you can't make him feel comfortable he has a permanent place. But don't have him out there swinging for the fences every time. His 1st half gaffes contributed to our slow offensive start by putting us in awful field position. The TD we allowed was bad. And Graham being short on that kick was odd since he hit a few from about there preseason.

Coaching
That was a safe a gameplan even for Kubiak. He knew there was no way we could lose to those guys without giving it away, so we were very patient. Hard to really evaluate the coach for a 30-10 win that should have been a 30-10 win. Hopefully how disinterested our team was in that game means it will be easier for us to be fired up for a road divisional game that could reallistically put us 2 games up after two weeks.