Hayden Fox Assessment: Preseason Week 3 | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Hayden Fox Assessment: Preseason Week 3

Hayden Fox

Hayden Fox

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Positives

  • The #1 driving late in the first half to get a field goal.

  • Ryan Tannehill was 11-16, 115 yards and 1 TD. He was solid after starting slow. The throw to Kenyan Drake was a thing of beauty. Do not discount his throw away at the end of half as the team had no timeouts and were able to get 3 points.

  • Drake. 32 yards on 4 carries and 1 catch for 38 yards. He is an explosive playmaker and game changer for the Fins.

  • Danny Amendola’s TD catch and run.

  • The defense forcing a FG in the Red Zone late in the 1st half as Baltimore had a “goal to go situation”.

  • The defense was 1-3 in red area situations.

  • Robert Quinn. He was tough off the edge. He got a sack should have had another if not for a penalty that did not aid his efforts. Held a few times too though no flag.

  • Jordan Phillips. He played angry and on the Ravens side of the field.

  • Minkah Fitzpatrick. Active with great instincts. He will be a reason the Fins turn things around at some point.

  • T.J. McDonald played physical and was around the ball. 7 TOT, 4 solo and 1 TFL.

  • Matt Haack’s punting.

  • Special teams coverage units. Excellent all night.

  • Vincent Taylor blocking a field goal.

Negatives

  • The 2nd and 3rd teamers giving up 24 unanswered points.

  • Minus 2 Turnover Differential.

  • 8 penalties for 47 yards.

  • 2-12 the offense was on 3rd down.

  • Early negative plays on offense.

  • Tackling.

  • The defense was 6-14 on 3rd down.

  • While the #1 defense stiffened in the red area, they yielded points back immediately after the offense scored a TD. Lack of complimentary football.

  • Davon Godchaux’s penalty that negated a Quinn sack.

  • The holding penalty on Bobby McCain to extend a scoring drive.

  • Long TD run vs. 2’s and 3’s.

  • Disliked the flipping of the backup quarterbacks. Let them play a few series at a time and try to get some rhythm

  • Not kicking the field goal when David Fales got the team into the Red Zone. Get some points and better feelings about the possible backup QB.

  • Officiating was terrible. Lack of holding calls on Miami’s DE’s, no flags on obvious PI’s against Miami receivers and a head-scratching call on Rayshawn Scott who was forced out of bounds and not allowed back in were all big misses by officials.


Overall Assessment

  • Make no mistake that the he Fins would have lost this game easy if it was 1’s vs. 1’s. That does not mean people should get ready for the 2019 draft. It does mean the team has a lot to work on and clean up. It means some players need to step up big time. It means the team’s coaching has to give its roster an advantage on the opponent. The stats within the game need improve for Miami to have a chance. Too many times they are bad on 3rd down, poor in the Red Zone, get penalized too much and cannot take the ball away. Those areas have to get to a positive level for Miami to compete. Too often they are lackluster.

  • Baltimore’s depth killed Miami’s. The roster needs to continue to infused with more talent as well as coaching and development with the players in house.

  • The backup QB is not on the roster. My guess is Adam Gase goes with Fales. However, he is not a NFL QB. Brock Osweiler is shot. Bryce Petty need more of chance and pulling an ab muscle did not help. The upgrade might not materialize around the league as teams will not part with solid backups and other teams will be in the market. However, this position is one to watch in the next week and half.

  • Ryan Tannehill had a very solid preseason. He was in control. He made smart decisions. Moved well. Roped some great throws. Tannehill is a reason this team can compete and do well.

  • Tannehill has major issues with a wet ball. Watch weather reports going into games. Plus, never downplay a QB’s hand size pre-draft. It is important.

  • Kenyan Drake has to stay healthy. It is a concern of mine when it comes to him. The franchise deserves credit for the pick and the forthsight of what he could become. That said, my concern with him has always been staying healthy. He is the most dynamic offensive player and game changer for the Miami. The offense would look different with him shelved. His snap count is one to watch going forward. The team needs him to win games, but how much to use him will be a question.

  • Watch a team’s conditioning the first few weeks. These teams that have not extended their starters at all...will they be in game shape. I like the snaps and reps Miami has given their players. Plus, they played some of their younger players beyond the first half. It was good for experience and conditioning. It will be very interesting if we see more soft tissue injuries from players around the league that are not in game shape.

  • Bob Griese saying McDonald “drops the load” when making a big tackle. Griese struggles in the booth have been on full display this summer.
 
We have so much to look forward to this season, it's going to be exciting. Look forward to the give and take, highs and lows and reactions from the fans.
 
The lack of depth is alarming. The poor drafting and personnel moves over the years is disheartening, to say the least. In any case I'm praying for no injuries to occur otherwise we are toast. Can't wait for Sep 9th.
 
Hayden Fox said:
Overall Assessment

  • Make no mistake that the he Fins would have lost this game easy if it was 1’s vs. 1’s. That does not mean people should get ready for the 2019 draft. It does mean the team has a lot to work on and clean up. It means some players need to step up big time. It means the team’s coaching has to give its roster an advantage on the opponent. The stats within the game need improve for Miami to have a chance. Too many times they are bad on 3rd down, poor in the Red Zone, get penalized too much and cannot take the ball away. Those areas have to get to a positive level for Miami to compete. Too often they are lackluster.
Click to expand...

This is the crux of the matter and for the most part I boils down to coaching. Gase and Burke have not given our roster a chance to play aggressive winning football so far. Can they flip the switch and play a completely different style in 2 weeks remains to be seen. I have my doubts as I believe in the old cliche that you practice like you play.
 
thanks, nice write up. but this had me baffled.. Tannehill has major issues with a wet ball. Watch weather reports going into games. Plus, never downplay a QB’s hand size pre-draft. It is important.
he has never showed signs of this before. the Arizona game comes to mind, that game alone refutes that statement. also his hand size, when has this been an issue. I don't recall him having fumbling issues either. even being sacked 100+ times.
 
Two things are ultra important if we intend to run this type of offense. First you have to avoid mistakes the put you in long yardage situations and second, you have to consistently convert the 3rd and 6s. We haven't shown we can do either, yet. Hopefully that's coming real soon.
 
Have to say it looks like a pretty bad team at this point. Almost all the pieces are in place for an explosive offense but its hard to see them being able to get out of their own way for more than a couple series a game. The defense has enough glaring weaknesses that a good opposing offense shouldn't have too much trouble putting up points.

Gase has all he needs and I don't doubt that hes a capable coordinator. If hes not able to put up points with this group its probably time to move on.
 
Thanks for the write up Hayden :thumbsup

Even though they were going against lots of back ups I thought the starters played ok with Drake looking really good and ready for the real games.
The guys who were in the second have will mostly be gone after next game when the big cut down comes. Even so depth is a real concern after the starters.
 
Totally agree about Drake, I think Gore will contribute more then some think but make no mistake, a Drake injury would be awful for this offense.

What does this team do well? I'm not sure exactly, I do think the coaches can set them up better- will see when preseason ends.

I want to see more of what the offense did on that TD drive. If the defense is going to crowd the line and 5 yrds from the LOS and dare you to beat them- do it. The skill players need to beat their matchups and Ryan need to deliver the pass. Im
somewhat optimistic that can happen. Especially if penalties can be controlled.

I think we were seeing a fair amount of that before Ryan’s injury, even in that Arizona game as an example. This will give us the best chance to compete in games this year IMO
 
NYC#1finsfan said:
The lack of depth is alarming. The poor drafting and personnel moves over the years is disheartening, to say the least. In any case I'm praying for no injuries to occur otherwise we are toast. Can't wait for Sep 9th.
Click to expand...
Laundry, Miller, Jay A. Mathews plus others were let walk because they were not Gases boys. So years of bad drafting is really not the issue in this case. Its more about gotta have my guys for my system to win which is BS imo. But here we are those dudes are long gone along with any roster excuses for Gase. Also if you listened to Gase last night every one of the draft picks outside of Doughtery a 7th round QB are still are on the roster.
 
phintim said:
Laundry, Miller, Jay A. Mathews plus others were let walk because they were not Gases boys. So years of bad drafting is really not the issue in this case. Its more about gotta have my guys for my system to win which is BS imo. But here we are those dudes are long gone along with any roster excuses for Gase. Also if you listened to Gase last night every one of the draft picks outside of Doughtery a 7th round QB are still are on the roster.
Click to expand...

Drake is significantly better than Ajayi. It is not even close. Amendola + Wilson is a huge upgrade over Landry especially when you consider penalties. Miller? Mathews? I disagree with your premise.
 
The only reason I am not predicting playoffs is lack of depth and injuries. This year’s starters are a big improvement.
 
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