- Joined
- Jan 5, 2009
- Messages
- 30,987
- Reaction score
- 1,249
Positives
Negatives
Overall Assessment
- Plus 1 Turnover Differential.
- Kalen Ballage was fun to watch today. He had 123 yards and 1 TD. He had a long, explosive 75 yard TD run.
- Multiple receivers slapping away possible interceptions.
- 3rd down defense...5-13.
- Minkah Fitzpatrick had a productive game. He had an interception returned for a TD. He also had 6 TOT, 6 Solo and 2 PD.
- Robert Quinn had a sack and helped curtail a drive.
- Defensive stop that forced a FG after a long punt return that put the ball in the scoring area.
- Holding the duo of Stefon Diggs (49/4 and a TD) and Adam Thielen (19/2) down.
- Leonte Carroo’s shoestring tackle that stopped a long punt return.
Negatives
- 3rd down offense: 2-12.
- Only 12 1st downs.
- 193 total yards for the offense.
- The offense averaged 3.6 per play
- 1.1 per pass play for the offense.
- 0-1 in the Red Zone. Only one trip in the Red Zone.
- Ryan Tannehill. 11-24, 108 yards and 59 QBR. He no idea what he was looking at. He ended up watching the pass rush. Pretty much an awful day by the QB.
- Pass protection. 9 sacks. Terrible in one on ones. Terrible in picking up blitzes. Terrible in picking up stunts. The backs were terrible in blitz pick ups. Tannehill was terrible in throwing hot or fleeing the pocket. Just awful.
- Not using Kenyan Drake in the running game.
- Danny Amendola drop near the end of the 1st half that would have give the Fins a 3rd and goal from about the 1.
- Kenny Stills getting called for holding.
- Gave up 220 rushing yards.
- 4-6 Red Zone defense.
- Easy opening TD drive by Minnesota.
- The Vikings had 21 points and 202 yards in the 1st quarter.
- Reach and grab tackling especially in the 1st quarter.
- Bobby McCain missed many tackles, took bad angles and made poor reads.
- Illegal contact penalty on 3rd down by Cornell Armstrong that kept a drive alive.
- Charles Harris jumping offsides killing a positive play by the defense.
- Torry McTyer gave up a 3rd down bomb that iced the game. T.J. McDonald was of no help.
- A long punt return by Minnesota because Matt Haack out-kicked his coverage. It was also aided by a few missed tackles.
- 8 penalties for 49 yards.
- Lost TOP 33:16-26:44
Overall Assessment
- Shame on Matt Burke for not being more prepared. It was obvious it was going to be heavy run calls with some play action early. Yet, his defense was sliced up. They did recover some when it seemed Kevin Stefanski ran out of plays. However, by that time the offense had no answers and kept the pressure on the defense which buckled in the end. Matt Burke has done such a poor job this year. The explosive plays are routine. This offseason Matt Burke needs to be fired and a new DC must be brought in to bring some stability and consistency to this side of the ball.
- Along those lines, much of the D-line must be blown out this offseason. Rugged, explosive DT’s must be signed and or drafted, a DE that can set the edge must be brought in along with some rotational types that can play roles. The young LB’s are getting better and I am willing to let them have another offseason and see how they progress. However, the D-line has to be the focus of this offseason. Miami must start winning on the line of scrimmage.
- Minkah Fitzpatrick will help this team more as a safety next year. They have to get him in the middle of the field. He will help line others up. He will have more chances to make plays on the ball. Fitzpatrick is simply not as natural at CB (which is saying something as he is a rookie) as he is at safety. Unfortunately, that means CB becomes major priority. However, it is time to allow him to play his position of strength.
- Before we destroy the offense, which I think I did, Minnesota has an amazing defense. Talent at three levels. Fin fans have to tip the hat, before shredding our offense.
- With that said, the offense needed to do more..simple as that. There was a point in the game that Minnesota was reeling. The offense had to start playing off the defense more. Yet, they did nothing. Once the run game was slowed down nothing happened in the passing game. There was no protection. There was no separation from receivers. The QB was seeing ghosts and the pass rush. So disappointing.
- Can the team simply start leaving the day before road games? I get changing things up because the team has stunk on the road. However, just stay at home and leave the day prior.
- Thank you NFC for the scoreboard help today. The Giants and Cowboys were both shutout. The Bucs had chances and let it slip away. Miami simply got nothing from other teams that also made today even more brutal.
- That being said, the Miami Dolphins are not done. IF Miami can beat Jacksonville and Buffalo and go 9-7, they still have a legit chance to make the playoffs. The Steelers lose to the Pats and Saints or Ravens lose to the Chargers or Browns and Colts lose to the Giants and beat Tennessee, Miami would get in. It is not crazy man talk to be honest. The team needs to regroup and be ready to play next week.
- Final thought: I read the piece from Profootballtalk.com talking about the Stephen Ross has not decided what direction to take the team this offseason. I see tweets from beat writers suggesting change. Of course, I see fan reaction. However, let me say this...this front office and head coach have done good work overall. Today, you saw multiple rookies produce for this team. In fact, both TD’s were by rookies today. The young LB’s are playing better. The FO has done a great job bringing in street free agents to help the team. Allow them the security and time to continue their vision. As far as the HC, he has done a very good job in his three years. Year one, he made the playoffs. Year two was a disaster of events. Year three, they are in the playoff hunt despite some bad injuries and difficult schedule. Just a few years ago Adam Gase was one of the biggest names available. Miami landed him. They got their guy. If Ross fires Gase, can you imagine what other candidates would be thinking about the Miami job? Look at his three years...not great, but not awful...and the owner fired the HC? This job would be looked upon as having zero security. Quality candidates would run from this job. It is laughable when I hear media members and fans mention names like Harbaugh, Myer, Riley, McCarthy. They are not coming here. Also, compare Miami to other jobs...the Jets will be more attractive. The Browns will be more attractive. The Packers will be more attractive. Heck, I could argue the Jaguars, Broncos and Cardinals could be more appealing. Allow Gase to continue. Allow them to develop and coach the players they have drafted and signed. Allow them to get talented injured players back. Allow them an aggressive offseason and another draft. I am not saying there are not coordinator changes (Burke) or philosophical changes. However, it would be crazy for Miami to fire their coach and elements of the front office and then have to compete in hiring quality people in the next hiring cycle.
