Crossroads Game: Week 3 Preview

[WesternNYDolfan]

This game is going to be very telling.

I know the chicken little crowd is already running away from the falling sky after Jacksonville, but that loss as troubling as it was is kind of typical in the NFL. Young team catches breaks at home against a more talented team that took them for granted. I also believe we've tried to skate by with some vanilla play calling in an effort to not show our hand to Buffalo and New York.

But now it's time, we open up our divisional schedule against one of the most talented rosters in the NFL...shorthanded nonetheless.

Here's a few things I'll be watching for that could be a harbinger of things to come...

Albert Out...How Do We Adjust?

Oh boy, our star LT out against one of the most talented defensive fronts in the League, sounds like a recipe for disaster. Or not.

Lazor and Tannehill have an opportunity to show us something here.

First, let's talk about the OC...let's use creative play calling to cover up our deficiencies. I have a feeling our Oline will struggle, let's get some rollouts going, 3 step drops, max protect on PA and the 5 and 7 steps. Run at the defenses right side to slow em up. Let's not abandon the run too early either, with a dline like this if you allow them to go all out on the pass rush, we're in for a long day. Let's use draws, screens, misdirection. This should be in Lazor's wheelhouse.

Tannehill, we need to see his progress in this game. Most notably, pocket presence. 3 step drops, the ball is either out, or get out of the pocket. He's going to have to be able to diagnose blitzes and coverages pre snap, because with the lack of time he'll have in the pocket, he needs to dictate the action, can't stare down receivers, especially on the 3 steps, this ball hawking secondary will pounce all over telegraphed throws.

If these two can execute like this, the rest of the offense will fall in place.

Suh Nami? Earth Wake?
Okay d-line, you've been pretty underwhelming so far. Here's your chance to show out against a team who has a proven elite d-line. Ndomokong has done his part for the most part, taking on double and triple teams. It's time the rest of the defense begins making plays. Jelani and Reshad have been the only players flashing. I know we have more talent than that. Here's a chance against an inexperienced QB to make some f'ing plays!

Re-Coyle in Horror
For the love of God Kevin...let's get creative. Look I love that double A gap look more than most, but maybe it's time to switch it up, let's send some blitzes from places they haven't seen, give the kid some new looks, get his head spinning. Utilize your talent. And whatever you do, don't forget to spy him, or even play some man zone combinations. I think cover 3 and cover 1 with Reshad patroling the LOS post snap could be very effective. I'm sick of seeing mobile QBs gash us. This week could go a long way toward saving your job. You have talent at your disposal, put that talent in position to make plays for crying out loud!

Joe No!Honestly, I've been a Philbin supporter, and felt like he was becoming comfortable as a coach this offseason. Early returns are not promising. It's time this team comes out with fire...this is a home opener, against a hated divisional foe, at 4 o'clock w/ a lot of people watching. Get up, no more slow starts. Outcoach Rex, I believe in you. This is your career on the line bud. It's time to go, we're all counting on you!

I for one am pumped up, I would love nothing more than to laugh in the face of my Bills fans friends, let's do this **** !

 

[nando03]

I hope we are able to go out and show that we are better than the first 2 games we've played. Lots of us fans think we are better and the team keeps talking about how they are better than what they've shown.

They need to go out there and deliver. I believe we've run a vanilla offense thus far, but this is a critical game and we need to pull out all the stops against a tough division rival.

 

[LANGER72]

Do or die in week 3?
Yep, Failbin football is running on all cylinders (clunking / detonating engine after the key is turned off)..LOL

 

[Chuck Willie]

Nice write up man.... I'd like to see us come out aggressive from the first whistle... Take the shots when they're there. Don't neglect the run and for God's sake sack the passer

 

[Roman529]

There are other teams like the Eagles, Colts and Seahawks who are 0-2, so I wouldn't say this is Chicken Little time, but Philbin can see the long knives coming out, and HE needs to step it up as much as the players.

 

[BigNastyFish]

This game is going to be very telling.

No kidding. See my post earlier this week:

http://www.finheaven.com/showthread.php?369057-The-Buffalo-game-will-tell-all

I know the chicken little crowd is already running away from the falling sky after Jacksonville, but that loss as troubling as it was is kind of typical in the NFL. Young team catches breaks at home against a more talented team that took them for granted. I also believe we've tried to skate by with some vanilla play calling in an effort to not show our hand to Buffalo and New York.

First of all, I recommend NOT insulting 75%+ of the your potential readers with clichés like " chicken little crowd."

As one of the supposed chickens, I would say it's blind loyalists like YOU who facilitate the ongoing malady of the franchise as orchestrated by it's overlord Ross. But of course, if I said something like that, I'd be pandering to my reactionary side and NOT dealing with reality -- as you certainly are NOT dealing with reality!

After 3+ years of Philbin's repeated flops and what seems like a decade with Ross performing his clown act a lot of us don't need "significant amounts of additional evidence" to formulate a WELL INFORMED conclusion!

To borrow from the cliché bin: if it looks like a duck and acts like a duck, chances are it is a duck!

Quack! Quack!

Do you know what I mean?

BNF.

 

[joenhre]

If the Dolphins lose this game they are definitely looking at last place in the division. Don't see them winning in Buffalo. Going to be tougher than ever to take one game from New England, and splitting with the Jets is in serious doubt. Which pretty much makes next weeks game a must win as well.

 

[dolp1972]

Here, here Big Nasty Fish, totally agree with your post, the evidence is in already in on Failbin, don't see why we as loyal Dolphin fans on the "Golden Anniversary" had to be stuck with that pile of s…t for a coach for another year………………..

 

[jlfin]

I guess the concern I have is that they played poor and uninspired against Washington. All we heard was that the team was disappointed in their level of play.
I expected them to take it out on Jacksonville. I expected to see Bortles getting repeatedly hit, hurrying his throws and running for his life.
I felt the Phins would dominate from start to finish.
Instead we got an even poorer effort than the week prior. The phins were dominated in the trenches and Bortles had his best day as a pro. Eerily similar to
the poor effort last season when they allowed Geno Smith to have a perfect QB rating.
I'm sorry, I just have no confidence in this team.
I think Buffalo crushes them this sunday. Rex wil have his team ready. The phins have a lot of key players limping.
I'm expecting to see the fans heading for the exits near the end of the 3rd quarter.
Hopefully, I'm wrong and they do the exact opposite of what I'm expecting.

 

[WesternNYDolfan]

No kidding. See my post earlier this week:

http://www.finheaven.com/showthread.php?369057-The-Buffalo-game-will-tell-all




First of all, I recommend NOT insulting 75%+ of the your potential readers with clichés like " chicken little crowd."

As one of the supposed chickens, I would say it's blind loyalists like YOU who facilitate the ongoing malady of the franchise as orchestrated by it's overlord Ross. But of course, if I said something like that, I'd be pandering to my reactionary side and NOT dealing with reality -- as you certainly are NOT dealing with reality!

After 3+ years of Philbin's repeated flops and what seems like a decade with Ross performing his clown act a lot of us don't need "significant amounts of additional evidence" to formulate a WELL INFORMED conclusion!

To borrow from the cliché bin: if it looks like a duck and acts like a duck, chances are it is a duck!

Quack! Quack!

Do you know what I mean?

BNF.

Very defensive lol

Look I'm not saying Philbin is a good coach, but coaches just like players can progress. The hope is he progresses this year.

You can call me a blind loyalist, but I guess it's just because I'm generally an optimist in life. Walking around complaining and mfing everything generally leads to more things to complain about. I'm a fan and I will be rooting for my team to win, bottom line.

 

[royalshank]

Out coach Rex? Philbin needs to match (dim)wits with guys like Sporano - those are the guys he can out coach.

 

[PBay Fin Fan]

Must win Sunday, pretty sad to have such an important game this early. This team needs confidence in each other and the coaches. If we get hammered and lose to yets I do not think Philbin survives after the bye. And you know what? If he loses the next two he deserves to go before the end of the season.

 

[WesternNYDolfan]

Must win Sunday, pretty sad to have such an important game this early. This team needs confidence in each other and the coaches. If we get hammered and lose to yets I do not think Philbin survives after the bye. And you know what? If he loses the next two he deserves to go before the end of the season.

I agree with that