- Joined
- Jan 5, 2009
- Messages
- 30,987
- Reaction score
- 1,249
Positives
Negatives
Overall Assessment
- Jarvis Landry’s punt return touchdown that proved to be the decisive points in a win.
- +1 turnover differential.
- The offense was 5-12 on 3rd down.
- Driving the ball down the field inside of 2 minutes left in the 1st half and getting a TD...a Ryan Tannehill TD pass to Rishard Matthews.
- 4 Minute Offense. After taking over on downs, Washington had a chance if they could have forced a punt. However, Miami never got the ball back after some tough running by Lamar Miller.
- Miller had 55 yards on 13 carries for a 4.1 average. He did his best work in the 2nd half and specifically at the end of the game.
- Jordan Cameron. He was available all day for Tannehill...with one being a gorgeous diving catch. Cameron had 73 yards on 4 catches.
- Jamil Douglas’ athleticism. He was out in front on some runs and the game clinching screen.
- Branden Albert’s toughness.
- Dion Sims’ effort to try to catch a TD pass.
- Landry’s hard fought run after the catch in which he earned a first down shortly after half time.
- The defense stiffening in the second half. They did not give up a point and played much more sound football.
- The defense getting a stop and yielding no points after the Tannehill fumble.
- Washington only got to the Red Zone once.
- Earl Mitchell started the defensive series with a key TFL.
- Brent Grimes interception.
- Brice McCain’s acrobating interception.
- Reshad Jones was the most active defender in white. He had 12 TOT, 7 Solo, 1 TFL and 1 PD. He read plays perfectly and game at ball carriers like a missile.
- Jordan Phillips sack.
- Terrence Fede playing solid football in relief of Olivier Vernon.
- Zach Vigil throwing a key block on Landry’s punt return TD.
- Andrew Franks boomed three kickoffs for touchbacks. He also made his PAT and FG attempt.
- Matt Darr’s debut was solid. He averaged 54.2 yards and put his last punt and Washington drive more challenging.
- FG miss by Kai Forbath
- Getting 88 yards on 11 penalties from Washington.
- Joe Philbin’s decision to put Landry in the game to return punts.
- Great blitz call and timed on 4th down on the Redskin’s final drive.
- Creative use of Jeff Linkenbach after Dion Sims went down and the team was short TE.
- Bill Lazor’s screen call to sew the game away. The offense was well behind the sticks and Tannehill, Miller and the offensive line perfectly executed the screen.
- The Fins closed out an opponent. They got stops on defense and the offense found a way to kill the clock.
- Dolphins fans making noise at Fed Ex Field. Great turnout.
Negatives
- Slow and sluggish start.
- Lost time of possession 37:54 to 22:06.
- The offense was 1-3 in the Red Zone.
- Only 256 total yards offensively.
- The offense not getting any points off of the Grimes pick.
- Tannehill missing a wide open Sims for a TD.
- Tannehill missing a wide open Kenny Stills that could have gone for six.
- No push in the running game in the 1st half.
- Matthews dropped an easy catch that would have moved the chains in the red area.
- After the Matthews drop, Tannehill took a ton of pressure up the middle and the ball was swatted from his possession. After a Benny Hill-like scene in both team attempting to recover the ball, the Redskins took over in Miami territory. Miami went from scoring points to giving the Skins the ball in good field position.
- The Skins ran for 161 yards on 37 carries for a 4.4 average.
- Washington was 6-14 on 3rd down.
- Only 1 sack by the defense.
- Gave up points on the opening drive.
- Jamar Taylor holding penalty that killed a Cameron Wake sack.
- Ndamukong Suh was very quiet.
- They team kept Vernon on the field way too much after the foot injury. Fede was much more effective of a player in both phases.
- LeMike James causing his own fumble that was recovered by a teammate.
- The unusual sub package at LB. Not sure why Kelvin Sheppard and Vigil were platooned.
- Philbin eschewing a field goal attempt that would have tied the game at 3 in the first half. Instead the team tried to run the ball 4th and 1 and Damien Williams was cut down short of the yards needed.
- Not attempting to run the ball in the Red Zone.
Overall Assessment
- Always expect the unexpected...especially on opening day. The conventional wisdom was the Skins were going to have their hands full with the Fins Dline. Obviously, the Skins’ line held up well. Anything can happen on a Sunday and this game proved as such.
- This was a character win. While there were some ugly stats and play sequences for sure. However, the team found a way to win. Today, was going to be a dogfight on the road against a team in its home opener while not the Fins not playing their best game. I like that players stepped up and made plays in big spots. Finally, the team finished.
- I like Jordan Cameron a lot. What an athlete and weapon.
- The special teams have a chance to be special. There are many talented special teamers on the roster. Game altering plays like the Landry TD could be more numerous this year for the Dolphins. Do not sleep on the special teams in being the difference maker in wins this year.
- Some other posters dump on me here because I have various concerns the Dolphins must contend with leading up to a game. You wonder why I have trust issues with this coaching staff and team? The team is wildly inconsistent under Joe Philbin. I am not sure what to expect each week.
- Lots of work to do still, but it is better trying to improve after a win than a loss.
