For all the Harvard computers that predicted the Dolphins to make the Super Bowl and the analysts who expected them to manhandle a bad Redskins team, the Dolphins knew two truths:
That’s not to say there aren’t reasons to worry after Sunday’s 17-10 win against Washington.
The Dolphins invested heavily on the defensive line this offseason, highlighted by their mega-signing of Ndamukong Suh. Yet it looked like a repeat of last season with Redskins running back Alfred Morris carving up the defense for 121 rushing yards and the Dolphins missing easy tackles.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s final stats look good on paper — 22-of-34 for 226 yards, a touchdown and a 93.5 passer rating.
But he was sacked three times and nearly
threw two interceptions, one that could have been returned for a score. He had a fumble that the Redskins recovered and the Dolphins scored touchdowns on just one of the three trips to the red zone.
Yet the players didn’t seem overly concerned. There are plenty of times when they’re upset at themselves after an uninspiring win. They’re not at that point yet.
“It’s the NFL and it’s Week 1,” said cornerback Brice McCain, who had a late-game interception that sealed the win for Miami. “Team’s get bad when they go 0-4, 0-5. But in Week 1 everybody’s good or everybody thinks they’re good. They came out explosive and we’ve just got to start faster next week.”
Left tackle Branden Albert, who played in his first game since suffering a major knee injury in Week 10 last season, was saddled with emotions after the win.
He was thrilled to return but realizes more than ever he’s not near his former Pro Bowl level. Like the team as a whole, he knows it’s going to take time.
“Man, it felt good, but I was rusty. I ain’t gonna lie,” Albert said. “There were a lot of plays I wish I could have back.”
The Redskins didn’t welcome Albert back with a red carpet. He left the game with concussion-like symptoms but was cleared and returned. He also said he suffered a dislocated finger.
“I just got my bell rung,” Albert said of his brief third quarter exit. “I was scared. But I bounced back.
“(Center) Mike Pouncey did a good job of just pushing everybody, being a leader. He pushed me. I dislocated my finger and he said ‘You better get your ass up. When my man says get up and go, I’ve gotta go.”
Albert was fortunate to be cleared, but the same couldn’t be said for tight end Dion Sims, who was carted off the field after suffering a concussion while unsuccessfully diving for a touchdown in the end zone.
It’s yet another reminder of how unforgiving football is each week. The Dolphins are already without reserve tackle Jason Fox, who hasn’t played since suffering a concussion in Week 2 of the preseason.
Sims was walking around the locker room in a daze after the game, barely able to speak.
The Dolphins have just two tight ends on the roster. If Sims can’t play next week in Jacksonville, they’ll need to promote one of their two tights from the practice squad or sign a free agent to backup Cameron.
Defensive end Derrick Shelby had a black eye after the game after being hit by an opponent.
Safety Reshad Jones suffered a hamstring injury late in the fourth quarter and was in obvious pain in the locker room. He said it’s too early to know the severity of it.
He made several key plays and was one of the Dolphins’ most productive players with seven tackles.
While the Dolphins didn’t walk away unscathed, they’re not too bruised either. There are some reasons for optimism heading into next week’s game in Jacksonville.
Receiver Rishard Matthews, who has spent three seasons fighting for playing time, got the start over Kenny Stills and had four receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown.
http://dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachp...phins-ready-to-forget-lackluster-performance/
- There are a lot of new faces on this team and despite a strong preseason from the starters, it’s going to take time to develop.
- Road openers are never easy, even if your opponent appears to be in complete disarray.
That’s not to say there aren’t reasons to worry after Sunday’s 17-10 win against Washington.
The Dolphins invested heavily on the defensive line this offseason, highlighted by their mega-signing of Ndamukong Suh. Yet it looked like a repeat of last season with Redskins running back Alfred Morris carving up the defense for 121 rushing yards and the Dolphins missing easy tackles.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s final stats look good on paper — 22-of-34 for 226 yards, a touchdown and a 93.5 passer rating.
But he was sacked three times and nearly
threw two interceptions, one that could have been returned for a score. He had a fumble that the Redskins recovered and the Dolphins scored touchdowns on just one of the three trips to the red zone.
Yet the players didn’t seem overly concerned. There are plenty of times when they’re upset at themselves after an uninspiring win. They’re not at that point yet.
“It’s the NFL and it’s Week 1,” said cornerback Brice McCain, who had a late-game interception that sealed the win for Miami. “Team’s get bad when they go 0-4, 0-5. But in Week 1 everybody’s good or everybody thinks they’re good. They came out explosive and we’ve just got to start faster next week.”
Left tackle Branden Albert, who played in his first game since suffering a major knee injury in Week 10 last season, was saddled with emotions after the win.
He was thrilled to return but realizes more than ever he’s not near his former Pro Bowl level. Like the team as a whole, he knows it’s going to take time.
“Man, it felt good, but I was rusty. I ain’t gonna lie,” Albert said. “There were a lot of plays I wish I could have back.”
The Redskins didn’t welcome Albert back with a red carpet. He left the game with concussion-like symptoms but was cleared and returned. He also said he suffered a dislocated finger.
“I just got my bell rung,” Albert said of his brief third quarter exit. “I was scared. But I bounced back.
“(Center) Mike Pouncey did a good job of just pushing everybody, being a leader. He pushed me. I dislocated my finger and he said ‘You better get your ass up. When my man says get up and go, I’ve gotta go.”
Albert was fortunate to be cleared, but the same couldn’t be said for tight end Dion Sims, who was carted off the field after suffering a concussion while unsuccessfully diving for a touchdown in the end zone.
It’s yet another reminder of how unforgiving football is each week. The Dolphins are already without reserve tackle Jason Fox, who hasn’t played since suffering a concussion in Week 2 of the preseason.
Sims was walking around the locker room in a daze after the game, barely able to speak.
The Dolphins have just two tight ends on the roster. If Sims can’t play next week in Jacksonville, they’ll need to promote one of their two tights from the practice squad or sign a free agent to backup Cameron.
Defensive end Derrick Shelby had a black eye after the game after being hit by an opponent.
Safety Reshad Jones suffered a hamstring injury late in the fourth quarter and was in obvious pain in the locker room. He said it’s too early to know the severity of it.
He made several key plays and was one of the Dolphins’ most productive players with seven tackles.
While the Dolphins didn’t walk away unscathed, they’re not too bruised either. There are some reasons for optimism heading into next week’s game in Jacksonville.
Receiver Rishard Matthews, who has spent three seasons fighting for playing time, got the start over Kenny Stills and had four receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown.
http://dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachp...phins-ready-to-forget-lackluster-performance/
