A take From a former NFL player

[Butterfrog 2.0]

These are some comments from a guy I know that used to play in the NFL. He has watched every game and been at most home games this season. Take it for what it's worth...

-He hasn't been impressed with GameDay coaching on either side of the ball. He's referring to playcalling and schemes/preperation. (I know some of you will go off on this comment).

-Said Miami's WR's really do struggle to get open at times. Said he feels they are being asked to win too many individual match ups, and scheme/route combos aren't helping them.

-Said Miami's poor coverage wasn't a new thing vs the Ravens. He was at every game during that stretch in November and he said guys were open all over the field vs us but either poor QB play with them missing reads, panicking because of pressure, or just flat out bad throws they didn't take advantage. Said a guy like Brady will score a td everytime vs this defense if all they do is pass (ouch)

-Said when opposing qbs are on their game it is way too easy for them. It's not just that they're seeing open targets all game long, it's that they are seeing open targets almost immediately after the snap.

-Said Tannehill is slightly above average as far as starting NFL QB's go. Said you can win with him, and the pieces at the skill positions are there on offense to make that happen but coaches need to do a better job of putting them into positions for success(I didn't ask much about Ryan, because frankly I'm tired of Tannehill discussions)

-Said overall our defense is a mess and needs a complete overhaul. He talked about the age of our good players, and that Howard looked the part but he can't do it alone in coverage. He said Jones is a great player but he's the kind of safety who you need to have a good coverage FS and solid corners to take advantage of his skillset.

There was more but i will leave it at that. Overall he said we arent that far away from where we need to be but some things have to change, and we need another good offseason or two and CB's should be top priority.(imo the entire draft and some of free agency should be defense).

 

[Spiff]

These are some comments from a guy I know that used to play in the NFL. He has watched every game and been at most home games this season. Take it for what it's worth...

-He hasn't been impressed with GameDay coaching on either side of the ball. He's referring to playcalling and schemes/preperation. (I know some of you will go off on this comment).

-Said Miami's WR's really do struggle to get open at times. Said he feels they are being asked to win too many individual match ups, and scheme/route combos aren't helping them.

-Said Miami's poor coverage wasn't a new thing vs the Ravens. He was at every game during that stretch in November and he said guys were open all over the field vs us but either poor QB play with them missing reads, panicking because of pressure, or just flat out bad throws they didn't take advantage. Said a guy like Brady will score a td everytime vs this defense if all they do is pass (ouch)

-Said when opposing qbs are on their game it is way too easy for them. It's not just that they're seeing open targets all game long, it's that they are seeing open targets almost immediately after the snap.

-Said Tannehill is slightly above average as far as starting NFL QB's go. Said you can win with him, and the pieces at the skill positions are there on offense to make that happen but coaches need to do a better job of putting them into positions for success(I didn't ask much about Ryan, because frankly I'm tired of Tannehill discussions)

-Said overall our defense is a mess and needs a complete overhaul. He talked about the age of our good players, and that Howard looked the part but he can't do it alone in coverage. He said Jones is a great player but he's the kind of safety who you need to have a good coverage FS and solid corners to take advantage of his skillset.

There was more but i will leave it at that. Overall he said we arent that far away from where we need to be but some things have to change, and we need another good offseason or two and CB's should be top priority.(imo the entire draft and some of free agency should be defense).

Very interesting, thank you. The bolded part is what also stands out to me, especially in comparison to our opponents week in week out. It seems the teams we play against always have 1, 2, 3 guys wide open while in our passing game we struggle to find an open receiver 95% of the time.

 

[DuderinoN703]

Getting Howard healthy and Jones back will be a big boost. LBs are needed in the worst way. A DE or two also.

 

[datruth55]

He's not saying anything about the defense that most of us haven't already said. We clearly lack talent on that side of the ball...the real question is how much is talent to blame and how much is scheme/coaching?

 

[39wildman]

we need be real on here. I did not expect dolphins win 11 games in row.....we came out flat and ravens force us out of our games sunday...we are still in playoff hunt...the dolphins have avg team. their is no complete team in nfl anymore...you can only sign 6 player to big contract. everybody else got fit under salary cap. when dolphins play team ball we won. ravens saw something on tape. because they attack middle of field all day at will.

 

[Bob512]

Good recap....thanks for sharing and posting.

Not surprised by any of his comments. I have seen the receiver issues with them not getting separation a lot.....which I find odd, as these guys are good athletes, so routes and schemes aren't likely difficult enough on the defense.

We are not far away, still have some work to do though.....

---------- Post added at 11:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:19 AM ----------

we need be real on here. I did not expect dolphins win 11 games in row.....we came out flat and ravens force us out of our games sunday...we are still in playoff hunt...the dolphins have avg team. their is no complete team in nfl anymore...you can only sign 6 player to big contract. everybody else got fit under salary cap. when dolphins play team ball we won. ravens saw something on tape. because they attack middle of field all day at will.

Wildman....I don't always agree with you, but you nailed it on this one.

 

[kcbrown]

Very interesting, thank you. The bolded part is what also stands out to me, especially in comparison to our opponents week in week out. It seems the teams we play against always have 1, 2, 3 guys wide open while in our passing game we struggle to find an open receiver 95% of the time.

This is why I said in another thread, we really don't have burners on this team...few teams do. People wanted to say Stills is our burner, but as you mentioned above, it seems that many times, our WR's are covered.

 

[AEGBRG]

These are some comments from a guy I know that used to play in the NFL. He has watched every game and been at most home games this season. Take it for what it's worth...

-He hasn't been impressed with GameDay coaching on either side of the ball. He's referring to playcalling and schemes/preperation. (I know some of you will go off on this comment).

-Said Miami's WR's really do struggle to get open at times. Said he feels they are being asked to win too many individual match ups, and scheme/route combos aren't helping them.

-Said Miami's poor coverage wasn't a new thing vs the Ravens. He was at every game during that stretch in November and he said guys were open all over the field vs us but either poor QB play with them missing reads, panicking because of pressure, or just flat out bad throws they didn't take advantage. Said a guy like Brady will score a td everytime vs this defense if all they do is pass (ouch)

-Said when opposing qbs are on their game it is way too easy for them. It's not just that they're seeing open targets all game long, it's that they are seeing open targets almost immediately after the snap.

-Said Tannehill is slightly above average as far as starting NFL QB's go. Said you can win with him, and the pieces at the skill positions are there on offense to make that happen but coaches need to do a better job of putting them into positions for success(I didn't ask much about Ryan, because frankly I'm tired of Tannehill discussions)

-Said overall our defense is a mess and needs a complete overhaul. He talked about the age of our good players, and that Howard looked the part but he can't do it alone in coverage. He said Jones is a great player but he's the kind of safety who you need to have a good coverage FS and solid corners to take advantage of his skillset.

There was more but i will leave it at that. Overall he said we arent that far away from where we need to be but some things have to change, and we need another good offseason or two and CB's should be top priority.(imo the entire draft and some of free agency should be defense).

I am confused, how can he say the defense -- which is half of the team, needs a complete overhaul (agree), yet where not far away? Completely contradictory. :idk:

 

[jessejames123]

D definitely needs a LOT of attention this offseason. Not fixating on yesterdays beatdown alone, but we need to address that LB unit. Can we get some freaking studs for once. I see other teams linebackers are simply bigger, faster, and stronger. But we stroll out butler and paysinger.. with an already hurt and undersized Alonso.

But to expect the staff to do it all in their first offseason is unreasonable. I want to see how they respond.

 

[NJPHINFAN79]

I am confused, how can he say the defense -- which is half of the team, needs a complete overhaul (agree), yet where not far away? Completely contradictory. :idk:

Defense is a third of the team, don't discount special teams they can win or lose games for teams too. But the defense needs the most talent influx

 

[AL R]

Im curious from someone who was at the game yesterday were the WR getting separation?. Its been brought up many times especially with those Prior OC routes etc and was my complaint also. I will say this, they got some against the 49'rs which is why I felt we had a good chance to win that game throwing the ball.

 

[rudys119]

-Said Miami's WR's really do struggle to get open at times. Said he feels they are being asked to win too many individual match ups, and scheme/route combos aren't helping them.

Very interesting, thank you. The bolded part is what also stands out to me, especially in comparison to our opponents week in week out. It seems the teams we play against always have 1, 2, 3 guys wide open while in our passing game we struggle to find an open receiver 95% of the time.

now im not a coach or anything and I am no football guru but shouldnt that tell you something. As a defensive coordinater I would say hey what are they doing that is preventing all these open routes? Oh they are attacking the ball and playing up on the recievers. Maybe giving everyone a 10 yard cushion when they are doing a 2 yard slant isnt a good thing. On the flip side the offensive coordinator should say... Hey these routes arent working. I swear New England has open recievers everywhere and they are just plugging in our practice squadders. Hmm maybe I should copy a few of their plays and route tree's.
But then again I dont get paid the big bucks to figure stuff like that out

 

[fansinceGWilson]

These are some comments from a guy I know that used to play in the NFL. He has watched every game and been at most home games this season. Take it for what it's worth... -He hasn't been impressed with GameDay coaching on either side of the ball. He's referring to playcalling and schemes/preperation. (I know some of you will go off on this comment). -Said Miami's WR's really do struggle to get open at times. Said he feels they are being asked to win too many individual match ups, and scheme/route combos aren't helping them. -Said Miami's poor coverage wasn't a new thing vs the Ravens. He was at every game during that stretch in November and he said guys were open all over the field vs us but either poor QB play with them missing reads, panicking because of pressure, or just flat out bad throws they didn't take advantage. Said a guy like Brady will score a td everytime vs this defense if all they do is pass (ouch) -Said when opposing qbs are on their game it is way too easy for them. It's not just that they're seeing open targets all game long, it's that they are seeing open targets almost immediately after the snap. -Said Tannehill is slightly above average as far as starting NFL QB's go. Said you can win with him, and the pieces at the skill positions are there on offense to make that happen but coaches need to do a better job of putting them into positions for success(I didn't ask much about Ryan, because frankly I'm tired of Tannehill discussions) -Said overall our defense is a mess and needs a complete overhaul. He talked about the age of our good players, and that Howard looked the part but he can't do it alone in coverage. He said Jones is a great player but he's the kind of safety who you need to have a good coverage FS and solid corners to take advantage of his skillset. There was more but i will leave it at that. Overall he said we arent that far away from where we need to be but some things have to change, and we need another good offseason or two and CB's should be top priority.(imo the entire draft and some of free agency should be defense).

I'm struggling with the D being a "mess." Certainly, upgrades are needed at 1-2 OLBs and a slot. The rest of the D is pretty good. Yes, age WILL BE a factor and should be addressed, but that's not the same as the "current team." As for VJ, he seems to dislike the press he says he prefers and is slow to make adjustments. Growing pains, I hope. Preparation? Didn't see evidence Sunday. WRs - I don't understand this. Early this year there was separation. Is the problem injuries, routes, mismatches? Don't know. I DO know I can see Tannehill going through his progressions and, apparently, no receiver open. If someone can answer - scheme or talent?

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Some good points.

As to the pass defense this is an issue with the entire NFL. The good quarterbacks carve up every team. Brady's quarterback rating this season is unreal around 125. More quarterbacks are over 100 than ever before in NFL history. That used to be pretty tough to achieve. Now if a quarterback is rated around 90 he is bottom half of the league.

That's not to say Miami can't get better in the secondary and yesterday's game was awful. But, I believe the Dolphins prior to Baltimore game were 9th overall in pass defense. That tells you how bad the situation is league-wise.

I do agree that the Dolphins need nearly a complete overhaul on defense and the best players on the unit (Suh, Jones, Wake and Alonso) are all vets. Miami desperately need young, talented playmakers on defense.

 

[montequi]

I do agree that the Dolphins need nearly a complete overhaul on defense and the best players on the unit (Suh, Jones, Wake and Alonso) are all vets. Miami desperately need young, talented playmakers on defense.

Xavien Howard looks like a really good future CB. We need LBers and youth on the D-Line. I think we can do OK with the CBs we have, assuming Howard stays healthy. Getting Jones back is going to be a HUGE boost to the defense.