Slim
VIPeezy
I'm thrilled with the victory. Absolutely elated. I've been confident all week that we'd expose Dalton and prove that if you switched them places, Tannehill would put up bigger numbers behind that Cincy line with those weapons. I think Dalton's an absolute fraud.
The most important part of this victory is that the national media sharks will back off for a bit. Had we lost our 5th consecutive last night, we'd be hearing nothing but 'Big Weirdo' stories this morning.
As excited as I am, there are a few serious questions that still remain, in fact i'd go as far as saying that last night's game has added a few more questions i have for this team:
1. What's the deal with this draft class?
Unless Philbln has a blanket policy on rookies not playing significant minutes I'm extremely concerned. Let's hold off on Dion Jordan for a second and key in on our 2 DB's who were still on the bench when Patterson went down and Jimmy Wilson slotted in. Ummm, what??? You're telling me neither of these guys can beat out Jimmy Wilson on the edge? This is a major, major concern.
Onto Jordan... the guy played 24 defensive snaps last night (and 17 on ST). Let's not kid ourselves, he got that many views on defense because of how many we played overall. They have absolutely no intention of getting this guy on the field. WHY IS THAT? And more importantly, when he is on the field, why isn't he doing all that much? Top 3 picks should be immediate starters/impact players. I don't care how stacked your team is. A top 3 pick should immediately take over a position. I don't want to hear that it's because Olivier is playing so well. He's playing OK - but not great.
In a year where Ireland HAD TO hit on FA and the draft, he's struggled on both so far.
2. Our coaches are clueless
Guys, I'm sorry it has to be said. Philbin is clueless out there. Asleep half the time it would seem. He's not very good at adjusting at the half, terrible clock manager, etc. I just don't think he'll ever win the big one. Don't see it.
Sherman is even worse. It's like the guy wants to sabotage the run game or something. The fact that Daniel Thomas is even out there is mind blowing. With the way Lamar Miller ran yesterday, he should have had 20 touches, but again, he fell short. That was partly due to the fact that Thomas got some carries (with a whopping 3.2 YPC) and partly because Sherman once again abandoned the run game in the 2nd half.
The fact that Philbin hasn't intervened on play calling is disappointing and concerning. Maybe he has, maybe he was behind the heavy sets. But he sure as heck didn't intervene when Sherman sent Thomas in to run a stretch play that, shockingly, went nowhere. I mean come on, Thomas is slow as molasses. You honestly think he's getting to the edge???
3. Who goes/who stays?
Great we won, but that doesn't change the fact that dirty laundry was aired out this week. Someone went down internally. Aponte has someone by the balls. Not sure who. But this regime ain't getting along and someone has to go. I think Sherman is gone, given all the stories about the players questioning him. But perhaps Philbin goes too. Or Ireland. Or both of em. Who knows? The idea of Ross and Aponte doing interviews this off season has me horrified.
4. Could this O-Line be the most disastrous line in NFL history?
Look, these guys played a solid game. Really solid. They won the LOS. Losing Atkins obviously was a huge blow, but even with him in we ran well. However a few things to consider:
These guys turned it around last night. And to be honest I think they'll play much, much better with some better play calling. However it doesn't change the fact that this line has been an absolute **** show. Ireland should be fired for this alone.
* I want to touch on Martin for a second. Lots of different schools on this and to be honest I'm a bit torn. Bullying has become a major controversy these days that I struggle with. On the one hand, being bullied must suck. It must really feel like crap knowing that everyone's picking on you, and that you don't have a friend you can talk to. On the flip side, we've become WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY too sensitive. Our ancestors would smack us in the mouths and tell us to man up.
This is a grown man. A 300 pound grown man at that. Confront your teammates if this makes you uncomfortable. Man up and speak your mind, tell them all to back down and move on. To just storm out is childish and immature.
5. Is Tannehill the guy?
He certainly played the part last night. No major mistakes to speak of, although he did miss some guys when he shouldn't have. But that's fine he's still a kid, learning the game. He makes some incredible throws when he needs to (See Hartline in the 4th) but he still goes through long periods where he does nothing. You rarely see the greats go 3 and out. Ryan's gotta to a better job of avoiding that.
I think he's going to be real good. Just needs some support around him.
The most important part of this victory is that the national media sharks will back off for a bit. Had we lost our 5th consecutive last night, we'd be hearing nothing but 'Big Weirdo' stories this morning.
As excited as I am, there are a few serious questions that still remain, in fact i'd go as far as saying that last night's game has added a few more questions i have for this team:
1. What's the deal with this draft class?
Unless Philbln has a blanket policy on rookies not playing significant minutes I'm extremely concerned. Let's hold off on Dion Jordan for a second and key in on our 2 DB's who were still on the bench when Patterson went down and Jimmy Wilson slotted in. Ummm, what??? You're telling me neither of these guys can beat out Jimmy Wilson on the edge? This is a major, major concern.
Onto Jordan... the guy played 24 defensive snaps last night (and 17 on ST). Let's not kid ourselves, he got that many views on defense because of how many we played overall. They have absolutely no intention of getting this guy on the field. WHY IS THAT? And more importantly, when he is on the field, why isn't he doing all that much? Top 3 picks should be immediate starters/impact players. I don't care how stacked your team is. A top 3 pick should immediately take over a position. I don't want to hear that it's because Olivier is playing so well. He's playing OK - but not great.
In a year where Ireland HAD TO hit on FA and the draft, he's struggled on both so far.
2. Our coaches are clueless
Guys, I'm sorry it has to be said. Philbin is clueless out there. Asleep half the time it would seem. He's not very good at adjusting at the half, terrible clock manager, etc. I just don't think he'll ever win the big one. Don't see it.
Sherman is even worse. It's like the guy wants to sabotage the run game or something. The fact that Daniel Thomas is even out there is mind blowing. With the way Lamar Miller ran yesterday, he should have had 20 touches, but again, he fell short. That was partly due to the fact that Thomas got some carries (with a whopping 3.2 YPC) and partly because Sherman once again abandoned the run game in the 2nd half.
The fact that Philbin hasn't intervened on play calling is disappointing and concerning. Maybe he has, maybe he was behind the heavy sets. But he sure as heck didn't intervene when Sherman sent Thomas in to run a stretch play that, shockingly, went nowhere. I mean come on, Thomas is slow as molasses. You honestly think he's getting to the edge???
3. Who goes/who stays?
Great we won, but that doesn't change the fact that dirty laundry was aired out this week. Someone went down internally. Aponte has someone by the balls. Not sure who. But this regime ain't getting along and someone has to go. I think Sherman is gone, given all the stories about the players questioning him. But perhaps Philbin goes too. Or Ireland. Or both of em. Who knows? The idea of Ross and Aponte doing interviews this off season has me horrified.
4. Could this O-Line be the most disastrous line in NFL history?
Look, these guys played a solid game. Really solid. They won the LOS. Losing Atkins obviously was a huge blow, but even with him in we ran well. However a few things to consider:
- Pushing for the sack record
- Clabo pushing for the individual sack record
- Our 2nd year Tackle stormed out because he's been bullied.*
- Our 3rd year Center has been subpoenaed in connection with one of the biggest sports stories ever
These guys turned it around last night. And to be honest I think they'll play much, much better with some better play calling. However it doesn't change the fact that this line has been an absolute **** show. Ireland should be fired for this alone.
* I want to touch on Martin for a second. Lots of different schools on this and to be honest I'm a bit torn. Bullying has become a major controversy these days that I struggle with. On the one hand, being bullied must suck. It must really feel like crap knowing that everyone's picking on you, and that you don't have a friend you can talk to. On the flip side, we've become WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY too sensitive. Our ancestors would smack us in the mouths and tell us to man up.
This is a grown man. A 300 pound grown man at that. Confront your teammates if this makes you uncomfortable. Man up and speak your mind, tell them all to back down and move on. To just storm out is childish and immature.
5. Is Tannehill the guy?
He certainly played the part last night. No major mistakes to speak of, although he did miss some guys when he shouldn't have. But that's fine he's still a kid, learning the game. He makes some incredible throws when he needs to (See Hartline in the 4th) but he still goes through long periods where he does nothing. You rarely see the greats go 3 and out. Ryan's gotta to a better job of avoiding that.
I think he's going to be real good. Just needs some support around him.
