This isn't going to be a "mushy, feel-good" post like my previous "I want to believe" post, but as I occasionally need to vent, I thought I'd stop through and say something.
I'm disappointed, and I was frustrated as could be after the Buffalo game, (and wasn't really much better after the Tennessee game)...but I sure as heck ain't giving up on this team for the year. For those of you who are giving up on Culpepper and this team after THREE games...go join the bandwagon-hoppers.
You know who they are - the fans and analysts that bailed out after a 3-7 start last year, then jumped back on after the six wins, then jumped to the FRONT of the bandwagon during the offseason, waving the "We're going to the Super Bowl" flag...and then nearly broke their legs jumping back off the bandwagon after the Dolphins looked awful for the first three games.
Because...you know what? They have. They've looked horrible, and we should have seen it coming, myself included. Because for all the promise, and all the hype, there was a LOT this team had to adjust to, and we shouldn't have expected it all to come together in the first three games.
We also shouldn't expect them to continue like this. Here are a couple thoughts as to why they won't:
1) Culpepper: Okay, seriously. You think this guy owes his entire career to Randy Moss? How's that working out in Oakland? This guy shredded his knee less than a year ago, and he's a complete freak for getting back on the field as quickly as he has.
Culpepper clearly isn't 100% yet, and it can be legitimately argued he shouldn't have started the season. Since Game 1, I've been saying, "he almost looks as though he's throwing everything off his back foot", and it's been most evident on sideline and out patterns, where it looks like he's been trying to use pure arm strength to deliver the ball. What happens when you do that, especially away from your body (like on sideline and out patterns), and on the move? You short-hop everything. Where have most of Daunte's incompletions been on sideline and out patterns?
As his knee strengthens and his recovery progresses, I suspect you'll see a lot more strength appear in that arm. Give it time.
2) The coordinators: Yes, they're running similar schemes to last year, but there's clearly new terminology and new things to learn that come with Capers and Mularkey. Replacing BOTH coordinators at the same time is bound to result in a few growing pains. Give it time.
3) The O-Line/Ronnie Brown: Clearly work is needed here, but isn't it interesting how WELL the line played in the first part of the Steelers game, and has looked awful ever since? From what I've seen, it looks like Defenses know that if they can force Daunte out of the pocket, they don't have to worry about anything beyond 15 yards - they're able to bring safeties closer and blitz more...affecting both the line and Ronnie Brown. As Daunte's ability to pass downfield on the move improves with his leg strength, I think you'll see defenses respect him a LOT more...and the O-Line and especially Ronnie play a lot better. Give it time.
4) The secondary: Again...help is needed, but not as much as time. This seems to be a talented group that simply hasn't played together; the secondary was COMPLETELY overhauled in the offseason. I don't care if you bring in the two best corners and the two best safeties on the planet; they're not going to be the best UNIT until they play together for awhile. Want an example of this? Watch a Pro Bowl sometime, and see how many times it looks like a bunch of chumps playing in the secondary getting burned deep. Give it time.
I guess you see what I'm saying about giving it time; you know what the best part is? We have time. Three of our next four games are against Houston, the Jets and Green Bay - and I really don't care how the Fins look when they win...as long as they win. Then we have a bye, and we SHOULD be either 4-3 or 3-4 going into the bye (yes, I'm giving away the New England game). Then we play a game in Chicago, which is a heck of a test for any offense. IF...during the Chicago game, the Fins still look the same, then maybe I'll start ranting like some have.
I betcha they won't. I betcha at some point over the next few weeks, things start clicking. My buddy (Seahawks fan) and I have been watching NFL ticket for the first few weeks, and as I pull my hair out watching the Dolphins, he keeps saying..."They're just...out of synch somehow. It's almost as if they're out of rhythm on both sides of the ball."
They're going to get it together. After all...they got in rhythm with Gus Freaking Frerotte behind center...I think they can do it with Daunte.
Please...get a grip, and give it time.
I'm disappointed, and I was frustrated as could be after the Buffalo game, (and wasn't really much better after the Tennessee game)...but I sure as heck ain't giving up on this team for the year. For those of you who are giving up on Culpepper and this team after THREE games...go join the bandwagon-hoppers.
You know who they are - the fans and analysts that bailed out after a 3-7 start last year, then jumped back on after the six wins, then jumped to the FRONT of the bandwagon during the offseason, waving the "We're going to the Super Bowl" flag...and then nearly broke their legs jumping back off the bandwagon after the Dolphins looked awful for the first three games.
Because...you know what? They have. They've looked horrible, and we should have seen it coming, myself included. Because for all the promise, and all the hype, there was a LOT this team had to adjust to, and we shouldn't have expected it all to come together in the first three games.
We also shouldn't expect them to continue like this. Here are a couple thoughts as to why they won't:
1) Culpepper: Okay, seriously. You think this guy owes his entire career to Randy Moss? How's that working out in Oakland? This guy shredded his knee less than a year ago, and he's a complete freak for getting back on the field as quickly as he has.
Culpepper clearly isn't 100% yet, and it can be legitimately argued he shouldn't have started the season. Since Game 1, I've been saying, "he almost looks as though he's throwing everything off his back foot", and it's been most evident on sideline and out patterns, where it looks like he's been trying to use pure arm strength to deliver the ball. What happens when you do that, especially away from your body (like on sideline and out patterns), and on the move? You short-hop everything. Where have most of Daunte's incompletions been on sideline and out patterns?
As his knee strengthens and his recovery progresses, I suspect you'll see a lot more strength appear in that arm. Give it time.
2) The coordinators: Yes, they're running similar schemes to last year, but there's clearly new terminology and new things to learn that come with Capers and Mularkey. Replacing BOTH coordinators at the same time is bound to result in a few growing pains. Give it time.
3) The O-Line/Ronnie Brown: Clearly work is needed here, but isn't it interesting how WELL the line played in the first part of the Steelers game, and has looked awful ever since? From what I've seen, it looks like Defenses know that if they can force Daunte out of the pocket, they don't have to worry about anything beyond 15 yards - they're able to bring safeties closer and blitz more...affecting both the line and Ronnie Brown. As Daunte's ability to pass downfield on the move improves with his leg strength, I think you'll see defenses respect him a LOT more...and the O-Line and especially Ronnie play a lot better. Give it time.
4) The secondary: Again...help is needed, but not as much as time. This seems to be a talented group that simply hasn't played together; the secondary was COMPLETELY overhauled in the offseason. I don't care if you bring in the two best corners and the two best safeties on the planet; they're not going to be the best UNIT until they play together for awhile. Want an example of this? Watch a Pro Bowl sometime, and see how many times it looks like a bunch of chumps playing in the secondary getting burned deep. Give it time.
I guess you see what I'm saying about giving it time; you know what the best part is? We have time. Three of our next four games are against Houston, the Jets and Green Bay - and I really don't care how the Fins look when they win...as long as they win. Then we have a bye, and we SHOULD be either 4-3 or 3-4 going into the bye (yes, I'm giving away the New England game). Then we play a game in Chicago, which is a heck of a test for any offense. IF...during the Chicago game, the Fins still look the same, then maybe I'll start ranting like some have.
I betcha they won't. I betcha at some point over the next few weeks, things start clicking. My buddy (Seahawks fan) and I have been watching NFL ticket for the first few weeks, and as I pull my hair out watching the Dolphins, he keeps saying..."They're just...out of synch somehow. It's almost as if they're out of rhythm on both sides of the ball."
They're going to get it together. After all...they got in rhythm with Gus Freaking Frerotte behind center...I think they can do it with Daunte.
Please...get a grip, and give it time.
