Hayden Fox Assessment: W12

[Adam Strange]

Gase should not be the HC and OC

The correct conjunction to use in this phrase is “or.”

 

[Awsi Dooger]

I loved how they kept saying that missed field goal looked like their golf swing. It was clearly blocked.

It was like a 36 handicapper with 1000 guys watching around the first tee. Worst swing you'll ever see in your life. Chunked and going nowhere.

We got into Vinatieri's head with the relentless penetration on the earlier kicks and then the blocked punt. He was thinking negative before that kick. Uncertain where the rush would come from, but he knew it would be considerable. It altered his form.

 

[Awsi Dooger]

I'm surprised all those dropped int's by the Colts didn't make the positives.

That category is always taken for granted around here.

I have to give Tannehill credit...it remains among his greatest strengths. Defenders simply can't catch his errant ones.

When it does happen, like the end of the Bengals game, it almost seems unfair.

In that first half Tannehill easily could have had two interceptions and one touchdown pass. There was the dropped pick six and then a couple of plays later he lobbed one into the end zone with one Colts player essentially causing the other one to drop it.

Since that was the same possession you can't add two picks but it certainly should have been one. To avoid it both times was incredible.

Then the deep ball to Caroo was easily a pick by a competent defender. To get out of there with a touchdown was like a once per season fluke.

I liked what Bruce Arians said, that the Dolphin defensive backs don't drop the interception opportunities. Absolutely correct and it is one of the strengths of our team. There is such a massive difference in seizing those chances instead of bumbling around and turning the play into a mostly meaningless incompletion.

 

[spiketex]

Thx Hayden for your comprehensive breakdown. I thought that Tannehill played pretty well after missing the past 5 games. He is a far more accurate passer than Osweiler. This was a game that could have gone either way and unfortunately, we lost.

 

[FINMAN1]

Thx Hayden for your comprehensive breakdown. I thought that Tannehill played pretty well after missing the past 5 games. He is a far more accurate passer than Osweiler. This was a game that could have gone either way and unfortunately, we lost.

ALL games can go either way. Unfortunately, we GAVE away another one.

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

This is a big five game stretch for Gase. Losing in the fashion he did versus Cincinnati and Indianapolis is brutal. He has three home games out of the five. Gase has his hands full this week with Buffalo. The Pats and Vikes are tough thereafter. Things can go off the rails quick. This week is such a must win for him. The team needs to get back to 6-6 and reset the outlook. I am a Gase backer. I think he is a good coach and has a good staff, outside of the Matt Burke. Burke and his scheme need to be replaced. That can be done this January. I think they have drafted good players over the past three years. Free agency this past year was solid. Not all is broken and I am not ready to flush things down. Not even close. However, Gase has to find some success to finish December. They need some wins. If things fall apart to finish, I am not sure what I will think come the new year.

I will disagree with this point. I think Gase is safe.

And I think that's the worst thing of all: this five game stretch won't matter at all.

 

[Miami 13]

Gase isn’t a good coach. This has to stop. He’s an awful coach and a worse play caller.

 

[Jerrysanders]

Positives

• Plus 2 Turnover Differential.
  
  
• Got a TD on an opening drive.
  
  
• 4.5 yards per rush.
  
  
• Ryan Tannehill’s first game back was solid 17-25 for 204 yards, 8.2 per attempt and 2 TD’s for a 119.4 QBR. He showed toughness fighting through the injury and gave his offense a lift.
  
  
• RT hardcounts.
  
  
• Kenyan Drake 96 total yards and 2 TD’s. He showed an explosive burst through the game.
  
  
• Frank Gore 67 yards on 14 carries (4.8 per carry).
  
  
• Leonte Carroo’s 74 yard TD reception in which he ripped the ball away from a Colt’s defender and went in for the touchdown.
  
  
• Pass protection. Gave up one sack and generally there was adequate time in the pocket.
  
  
• The defense held an elite 3rd down team to 4-12 on 3rd down.
  
  
• The defense got a 3 and out to start the second half.
  
  
• Xavien Howard was off the charts. Two interceptions and and 3 PD’s. He was responsible for keeping his team in the game.
  
  
• Cam Wake sack in the Red Zone.
  
  
• T.J. McDonald had 11 TOT, 9 Solo. He was active around LOS. Also, recovered a fumble.
  
  
• Raekwon McMillan forced a fumble and McDonald recovered it.
  
  
• Jerome Baker running down T.Y. Hilton.
  
  
• Kiko Alonso blocked punt.
  
  
• Matt Haack’s punting. Consistently, he flipped field position.
  
  
• Gunners on the punt team were always down field in position making tackles. Excellent punting game and coverage units. Walt Aikens and Cornell Armstrong were tremendous as gunners.

Negatives

• Blew a 10 point 4th quarter lead.
  
  
• Did not score enough points off of 3 Colts turnovers and a blocked punt.
  
  
• 10 Penalties for 75 yards. Pre snap penalties hurt the offense especially in the Red Zone.

• Only 51 offensive plays.
  
  
• 4-11 was the offense on 3rd down.
  
  
• Only 14 1st downs.
  
  
• Critical fumble by Mike Gesicki. True, the Colts did not score off of the turnover, but Miami had a golden chance to score before the half with two timeouts and at midfield. Bad turnover.
  
  
• Ted Larsen. Terrible football player.
  
  
• Red Zone defense was terrible again. The Colts scored TD’s 3-4 in the Red Zone.
  
  
• Rush Defense: 4.5 yards per rush. Gave up way too many explosive plays.
  
  
• The Colts tying drive that went 89 yards on 7 plays in only 3:18. Kiko Alonso missed a crucial tackle on the drive.
  
  
• Akeem Spence whiffing on Andrew Luck on the key 3rd down play in the 4th quarter as the Colts went into to score the game winning points.
  
  
• Minkah Fitzpatrick penalty that wiped out a sack by Robert Quinn.
  
  
• The offense scored on the opening drive and the defense quickly gave points right back.
  
  
• Alonso personal foul penalty on Luck on 3rd down that extended the drive.
  
  
• The Colts tied the game on TD. There was a personal foul call that moved the Colts up to kick off. They pooch the ball short on the kickoff. Making matters worse, Stephone Anthony is called for a penalty backing up the offense further.
  
  
• Late game play calling. It was awful. Up 7, Miami goes and passes...all incomplete with poor execution and failed 3rd down run. It ran barely any time off the clock. Backed up with the game tied, Adam Gase went into a shell. They end up punting back to Luck and they never saw the ball again.

Overall Assessment

• The late game play calling killed me. I was enraged. Let’s talk about the last two drives. The second to last drive, I get attacking. The ball needed to be moved and not just eat clock, but score. This is the modern NFL. They needed to push it still. However, they were running the ball well and a run call on one of those plays was needed. Also, the offense has to execute and complete these passes to maintain possession. The last drive of the game is what kills me. Attack. Throw it beyond the chains. Take a shot downfield. Maybe draw a PI. When was the last PI Miami got on offense? Gase needed to trust his QB. If he fails, maybe you have an answer on him. Gase says he worried about a turnover. What is the difference of a turnover in the red area versus Luck getting the ball at midfield with two timeouts? The defense did take the ball away and play well on the 3rd down, but they gave up explosive play after explosive play in the game. Gase needed to attack on the last drive and he did not. It was so, so, so disappointing.
  
  
• While the end of the game situation is taking the air out of debate, what is not being talked about enough is the lack of scoring points off of turnovers. Miami got 3 points off of 3 turnovers and a blocked punt. That is the difference in the game not the end of game fiasco. If Miami gets field goals off of those turnovers they win. If they score TD’s, they win easy.
  
  
• Pathetic how Bruce Arians is campaigning for the Cleveland job publically.
  
  
• A focus this offseason needs to be to sign Xavien Howard long term. He has earned it and it is vital to keep your own.
  
  
• Jake Brendel is a find. He has done well at LG and made a seamless transition to C when Travis Swanson went down. Brendel has to be in the mix next year to start at C or be a key swing Guard/Center, active on gameday.
  
  
• Ted Larsen is so bad. He is used and abused. Why is Wesley Johnson not active. Larsen was a penalty waiting to happen and got blown away late on stunts. He has to take a seat next week.
  
  
• The ability for TE’s to score on Miami is absurd. Coming up with better schemes next year and players to defend TE’s has to be on the menu. I am not expecting anything to change this year.
  
  
• This is a big five game stretch for Gase. Losing in the fashion he did versus Cincinnati and Indianapolis is brutal. He has three home games out of the five. Gase has his hands full this week with Buffalo. The Pats and Vikes are tough thereafter. Things can go off the rails quick. This week is such a must win for him. The team needs to get back to 6-6 and reset the outlook. I am a Gase backer. I think he is a good coach and has a good staff, outside of the Matt Burke. Burke and his scheme need to be replaced. That can be done this January. I think they have drafted good players over the past three years. Free agency this past year was solid. Not all is broken and I am not ready to flush things down. Not even close. However, Gase has to find some success to finish December. They need some wins. If things fall apart to finish, I am not sure what I will think come the new year.

It's not that crazy, Cleveland's offense has similar concepts to Arians offense, plus Cleveland has Baker Mayfield the only QB out of the rookies that's capable of running his offense.

 

[isaacjunk]

I liked what Bruce Arians said, that the Dolphin defensive backs don't drop the interception opportunities.

Is this based on actual stats or eyeball-test? Because reshad jones sure dropped one this game and i can remember more than a few. Seems like something ripe for human error / bias in watching, just asking...

 

[isaacjunk]

Positives
Negatives

• The late game play calling killed me. I was enraged. Let’s talk about the last two drives. The second to last drive, I get attacking. The ball needed to be moved and not just eat clock, but score. This is the modern NFL. They needed to push it still. However, they were running the ball well and a run call on one of those plays was needed. Also, the offense has to execute and complete these passes to maintain possession. The last drive of the game is what kills me. Attack. Throw it beyond the chains. Take a shot downfield. Maybe draw a PI. When was the last PI Miami got on offense? Gase needed to trust his QB. If he fails, maybe you have an answer on him. Gase says he worried about a turnover. What is the difference of a turnover in the red area versus Luck getting the ball at midfield with two timeouts? The defense did take the ball away and play well on the 3rd down, but they gave up explosive play after explosive play in the game. Gase needed to attack on the last drive and he did not. It was so, so, so disappointing.
  
  
• While the end of the game situation is taking the air out of debate, what is not being talked about enough is the lack of scoring points off of turnovers. Miami got 3 points off of 3 turnovers and a blocked punt. That is the difference in the game not the end of game fiasco. If Miami gets field goals off of those turnovers they win. If they score TD’s, they win easy.

To me just as bad is in the first half when we had 2 drives with the ball 1st down at the Colts 40. There were down and distances where it would've been easy to get into field goal range but instead we took deep shots. Why not secure the field goal attempt first? I like aggressiveness but there is a way to balance / game manage for maximal scoring and Gase is bad at it. That's 3-6 points lost right there

 

[Bob512]

Well done Hayden.

I think RT played well enough to win that game yesterday. What a difference between his passes and Brock's.....the velocity, even with RT hurting is very noticeable.

I was embarrassed on the final two drives with the play calling and the timid (or scared) nature of it. It is rightfully being called out by the national media and it should be. Gase needs to do some sole searching on his ability to continue calling the plays on offense....he seems to let his brain get in the way of his eyes and what is actually happening on the field.

It was an entertaining game, especially at the end of the first half and the back and forth nature of the game.....however, we gave this one away, we certainly could have won this ballgame.

 

[isaacjunk]

To me just as bad is in the first half when we had 2 drives with the ball 1st down at the Colts 40. There were down and distances where it would've been easy to get into field goal range but instead we took deep shots. Why not secure the field goal attempt first? I like aggressiveness but there is a way to balance / game manage for maximal scoring and Gase is bad at it. That's 3-6 points lost right there

looking back at the game log, one of those drives doesn't make the cut. Gase was actually calling conservative but penalties pushed us back. So really it was on the one drive after the colts fumble, when we eventually had 1st and 10 at the colts 37. And gase did try to gain short yards on the 1st 2 downs, but due to penalities wound up 3rd and 12 at the IND 39. That's the one where I think going deep for Stills probably was over aggressive vs. going for 5 yards and a 51 yard FG attempt.

If you do basic probabiliity: odds of Stills making that completion/leading to a touchdown = 20% * 7 points = .14 points Odds of getting 5 yards at that down/distance: 70%. Odds of FG = .60% = .42 * 3 = .12 points. So....looks like it's actually a toss up and I'm wrong on that as well! I stand corrected by math

 

[fansinceGWilson]

Hum I hear all the hate on the DC but the offense has to score and 4 turn over with just 3 points screams huge problem on the offensive side of the ball. I think our defense has played better than the offense this year but when we the defense has a bad day it just shows how bad our offense is playing. Our offense cannot control the clock or score. HUGE ISSUES. Look Gase plays what I call safe football offense meant to protect the quarterback from making mistake which inflates their QB rating but results in few points. Look RT has a phenomenal QB rating in a game with 4 turnovers and a decent rushing game and we loose. How the heck does that happen. Sure we could improve the defense its just not as much of the issue as most believe. Seen this song and dance before under Dan Marinio who could score the defenses always were rated badly. Once we went to a rushing attack instead of arial our defensive ratings improved greatly. Enough of that rant as I have mentioned this enough this year. Last thing imo if Laundry was still on the roster imo we win this game. Did Stiils catch a pass, Parker how about Danny? These guys were all the rage on this forum when Laundry was moved and they catch like 2 balls between em. Wow.

Let's ratchet that back a little. One TO gave Miami the ball inside their 10. Not the type of TO that 'should have been' points. One gave Miami posession around their own 40. Good field position, but many teams fail to score when starting a drive like that. The other 2? No excuse. Those should have been 6 points minimum, preferably 10. Just as bad . . . penalties and, as usual, at crucial times. Those cost Miami 10.

 

[Phantom]

The only reason Tannehill's performance wasn't awful, was like you said the Carroo play, the Colts dropping a sure pick 6 and the underthrown ball to Stills that the defender dropped. It's amazing what is called solid for this guy.

 

[MrChadRico]

All Tannehill did was throw check downs and bubble screens all day, the one time he threw it deep was wildly underthrown and got lucky Carroo made the play of his life. Tannehill and Osweiler are both garbage.